Complex bus terminal in Madurai closed for demolition

Madurai: The Complex bus terminal, located opposite the Periyar bus terminal across West Veli Street was closed from Monday to give way for a modern building proposed under the Smart City Mission. The Periyar bus terminal too would be closed from Tuesday. The new structure will be constructed by integrating both terminals at an estimated cost of Rs 157.70 crore.

The contractor has started demolishing the shops in the Complex bus terminal as well as few shops in Periyar terminal from Monday. Once the shops and bays are completely demolished in both terminals, they would be dug up for 30-feet deep as two levels of parking have been planned in the basement.

The parking lot will have space to accommodate around 4,000 two-wheelers and 300 cars. The ground-breaking ceremony for the project was held on January 19. Although work was supposed to begin last week, it was delayed as the city police requested the corporation to postpone it in view of the Prime Minister’s visit.

Madurai Corporation commissioner Aneesh Sekhar has assured that the project would be completed in 18 months.

Meanwhile, officials from the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) have identified nine places as temporary bus terminals to operate buses to various parts of the district. The civic corporation will make sure that basic amenities like drinking water and toilet are made available at all terminals. Bus timing charts will also be made available.

A TNSTC official said, “We have deployed employees in and around the Periyar terminal to guide the passengers till they get used to the temporary changes. The city police have deployed traffic police personnel to ease traffic congestion.”

Three locations have been identified on the Thirupparankundram at KPS Hotel, Crime Branch and Maalai Murasu office. The TNSTC depot in Hayat Khan Street, Kottai in Dindigul Road, Pandibazaar Church, Mahaboobpalayam at the western entry of Madurai railway station, Ellis Nagar near Meenakshi Amman temple parking, Natraj theatre on bypass road are the other places identified.