No change in outsourcing of operation and maintenance of new bus terminal, says Tiruchi Mayor

Mayor M. Anbazhagan presiding over the Tiruchi City Corporation Council meeting on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: M. MOORTHY

A councillor conveys his point of view during the discussion at the Tiruchi City Corporation Council meeting on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
M. MOORTHY

A councillor raises a point during The Tiruchi City Corporation Council meeting on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
M. MOORTHY

Mayor M. Anbazhagan on Tuesday said that there was no change in the decision of the Tiruchi Corporation to outsource the operation and maintenance of the integrated bus terminus (IBT) built at an estimate of ₹492 crore at Panjapur on the Tiruchi-Madurai highway.

Responding to demands of a few councillors, who objected to the decision of the Corporation at its council meeting, Mr. Anbazhagan said the swanky new bus terminal, which was built by providing modern amenities, was one of the largest bus stands in the country. It required a dedicated team to maintain it. Hence, it had been decided to involve private firms to take care of operation and maintenance of the new bus terminal.

K. Suresh (CPI), a councillor representing Ward No. 23, who raised the issue, said the Corporation had built a number of shops and restaurants in the bus terminal. It should directly control the revenue-generating civic infrastructure. It would fetch more revenue to the civic body. Similarly, the Corporation should take care of maintenance of the bus terminal by employing its own civic workers. It would open up avenues for employing new workers as well.

Mr. Anbazhagan said the arrangement was on a pilot basis. The idea was to maintain the bus terminal neat and clean. Accountability clause on contractor would ensure the neatness of all facilities and passenger amenities. There was no need for any apprehension on it.

Joining the debate, S. Suresh (CPI-M) said that privatisation was not a good idea. It should not be promoted in any manner.

Traders apprehensive

Ambikapathy (AIADMK), representing Ward No. 65, said that the traders of Gandhi Market had raised apprehension on moving to the new Integrated Vegetable Market, which was to be built at Panjapur. They apprehended that their livelihood would be affected if they were forced to move to the new market.

Mr. Anbazhagan said there was no need for any apprehension as Minister for Municipal Administration K. N. Nehru had made it clear that the traders of the Gandhi Market would not be shifted.

Mr. Anbikapathy said that the Tiruchi Corporation’s move to increase the rent of shops in Gandhi Market would hit the traders. There was a move to fix rent for the space used by the traders in front of their shops as well. It should be withdrawn.

Earlier, the Mayor informed the Council that the State government had issued an order naming the Integrated Bus Terminal and the Truck Terminal, which were to be thrown open to the public by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on May 9 after former Chief Ministers M. Karunanidhi and C.N. Annadurai respectively.