New proposal evokes mixed reactions

Coimbatore Corporation is mulling shifting the omni bus stand from Sathyamangalam Road to Avinashi Road, near Chinniyampalayam.

According to Mayor P. Rajkumar, the civic body has identified land near Chinniyamaplam that belonged to a government agency. Once the formalities are over, the civic body would shift out the bus stand in keeping with a resolution passed around six months ago. It would be a pucca bus stand with all the amenities, said sources.

The omni bus stand at present is spread over a plot that measures less than an acre and is congested. There is no space to drive in and out buses, says M. Stephen, president, Coimbatore Omni Bus Owners and Travels Association.

More than 150 buses and transport offices operate out of the premises that was until recently a market for green fodder.

When the civic body took up construction in the market, it was said that omni buses could be parked there. It was supposed to be a temporary measure. But now it had grown into a full-fledge bus stand, for which the space is unfit, he adds.

The area Councillor A. Nandhakumar says that drivers find it difficult to exit the bus stand as the manoeuvrable space is very limited. Plus, the Sathyamangalam Road too gets congested when the buses move in the morning and move out in the evenings.

The Corporation had earlier made an attempt at moving the bus stand to an 8.44 acre land near the Codissia Trade Fair Complex but it did not materialise as the land belonged to the Boodhan Board.

Now, this renewed proposal has evoked mixed reactions in that while one section has welcomed the proposal, the other has said passengers would be put to difficulty. Without proper infrastructure, passengers reaching the bus stand will be difficult. The safety of women passengers should be kept in mind.

R. Raveendran, Honorary Secretary, Residents Awareness Association of Coimbatore, says that if the civic body were to construct the new omni bus stand closer to Avinashi Road, it would make sense as people reaching it would not be a problem. If it is far away, then commuters will find it hard to access the bus stand.

But, the civic body must shift out the bus stand.

Mr. Stephen says that the civic body should take a decision at the earliest and act fast.