Gandhipuram omni bus stand renovation work moving at a snail’s pace

The renovation of the 1.5-acre Gandhipuram omni bus stand in the city by the Coimbatore Corporation is progressing at a snail’s pace.

The works began in January 2024 and was expected to be completed and made operational within a year. However, the works are a still under way.

The ₹3.68-crore project includes construction of 42 bus bays, tensile roofing, seating, and restroom facilities. The delay has been attributed to budget constraints, which led to an increase in the project cost from ₹2.9 crore to ₹3.68 crore.

The omni bus stand, with a capacity to accommodate around 300 buses,always remains busy. Private buses plying to other districts and cities operate primarily from this facility, unlike government-run services that have multiple bus stands at Ukkadam, Gandhipuram, Singanallur, and Mettupalayam Road.

There have also been complaints of traffic congestion, as a few private buses continue to stop outside the bus stand despite being directed to use an alternative location provided by the Corporation, a situation that will persist until the bus stand reopens.

Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran recently inspected the bus stand, reviewed the progress, and instructed officials to expedite the remaining work.

“Almost 90% of the work is complete, with only flooring work pending. This is expected to be completed within a week, after which the leasing process will begin. The bus stand will be operational within a month,” said a senior Corporation official