Bus terminal hits roadblock

The proposal to redevelop the Chennai Contract Carriage Bus Terminal (CCCBT) near the Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex by amalgamating some additional land for the operation of omni buses and passenger amenities has hit a legal hurdle.

A CMDA official said that the proposal was to redevelop the existing CCCBT by amalgating the additional land to an extent of 15.99 acres.

The bone of contention lay in the 3.05 acres of land, which is facing legal wrangles. Two writ petitions have already been filed in the High Court, of which one seeks claim to 1.03 acres of land and the other for 2.02 acres.

Interestingly, Mahindra Engineering Consultants have already submitted a draft feasibility report on the project and both the sites fall within the proposed redevelopment of the CCCBT boundary.

A CMDA official said that the project will be delayed due to the legal hurdle. “The advocate general is taking up the issue. We hope it will be sorted out soon in the court,” he said.

The omnibus terminus was opened in 2003. It has 68 bus bays. However, it is not enough to cater to the rise in number of buses as well as passengers. As such, the CMDA is planning to ease the congestion in the area by going in for a multi-level storied bus terminal, CMDA sources added.