By Kannan Jeevananda
CHENNAI: The Municipal Transport Corporation has decided to convert 3 bus depots in Chennai into shopping malls under a Public-Private Contribution scheme. A tender has been requested for this at a cost of Rs.1543 crore.
There are more than 30 bus depots under Chennai Metropolitan Transport Corporation. From these there are daily buses to Chennai and suburbs. Municipal Transport Corporation has decided to upgrade 3 of these bus depots.
Accordingly, Thiruvanmiyur Bus Depot has been modernized at a cost of Rs.446 crore, Vadapalani Bus Depot at a cost of Rs.610 crore and Vyasarpadi Bus Depot at a cost of Rs.485 crore. In particular, it will be converted into a commercial complex with various facilities.
Municipal Transport Corporation has called for tender to carry out these works as public and private contribution. According to this, the ground floor and the first floor will be used as parking spaces for buses. The 2nd floor will house the bus depot and commercial shops. All remaining sites will be set up as commercial sites. These are expected to include a theatre, indoor games and an assembly hall.