Around 62 acres of land has been identified in Vandalur for setting up the proposed inter-city bus terminus that will ease pressure on the busy Chennai Moffusil Bus Terminus in Koyambedu.
According to sources, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has sought administrative sanction to acquire the land east of outer ring road abutting Vandalur-Walajabad Main Road. Some of the areas to be acquired are wetlands and the plan to build the bus terminal will only be realized after the government gives green signal to acquire the land.
The bus terminus would primarily cater to the south-bound buses. It is believed that once the plan gets approval, it will have bus bays, provision for idle parking, space for intra-city buses and intermediate public transport facility.
However, the proposal is being opposed by farmers in the area who feel their livelihood would be affected. Some political parties are also backing them.
Sources said plans are on to pay the current market price to acquire the land. The Vandalur plan assumes significance as the proposed bus terminals in Madhavaram and Velachery have hit hurdles over land and feasibility issues. The plan for Velachery satellite bus terminal and Madhavaram inter-state bus terminal were announced during the budget session last year. The Velachery plan was put off due to proposed monorail station in the area.