Modern bus terminal at pilgrim city on the cards

Tirupati: The APSRTC is contemplating to build a modern bus terminal here to cope with the increase in pilgrim rush. The corporation has plans to demolish existing structures and build a new modern complex with all amenities. A high-level committee from the RTC head office had visited the city recently to study all aspects like existing facilities in the bus stand, passenger rush, number of buses plying every day and existing platforms.

Highlights:

• New complex will have parking area for buses, amenities for passengers, space for offices, platforms and cellar parking for two-wheelers
• Experts say RTC needs 30 acres to build a modern bus complex but it has only 12 acres in the city.
• RTC will go ahead with the minal, says Regional Manager Nagasivudu.

An international consultancy was roped in by the RTC to submit a report of making Tirupati bus complex as world class one. The same firm had submitted a report to the Gujarat government to make bus terminal at Vadodara as world class.
To get smart city tag for Tirupati, the government is keen to modernise bus complex here. The new complex will have parking area for buses, platforms, amenities for passengers, offices and cellar parking for two-wheelers.

All these facilities should be accommodated in ground and first floors only. From 2nd floor onwards, the space will be used for commercial purpose under PPP model. However, the RTC officials not yet finalised the number of floors in the modern bus complex.But, the big question before the authorities is whether the existing bus stand site is sufficient for the proposed integrated development complex. The RTC is now having only 12 acres of land at its disposal in the heart of city.

Experts say government and RTC should keep in view the needs for the next 50 years before embarking on a plan to construct such a huge complex. But, the RTC needs at least 30 acres of land to modernise bus complex which is not available in the city. Speaking to The Hans India, RTC Regional Manager V Nagasivudu said that the committee made an initial study and submitted its report to the management. It is confirmed that the RTC will go ahead with the construction of modern bus complex. “If we want more land, we have to go outside the city limits.

The government and RTC management will take a final call,” he added. If they go ahead with the construction of new complex at the same place, then the existing bus station has to be shifted to some other place till the works are completed. If the works are executed at a brisk pace, it may take a minimum of three years from tender stage to complete them.
As the new terminal is on the cards, the proposed miniplex in the bus station campus has to take a back seat.

By V Pradeep Kumar