Panjappur set to get veggie market near IBT, Minister Nehru lays stone for project

TIRUCHY: Municipal Administration Minister KN Nehru laid to rest speculations that bus operations from both Central and Chathiram bus stands in Tiruchy will be shifted to the new Integrated Bus Terminus (IBT) at Panjappur and assured that the present services would continue. This comes against the backdrop of buzz on social media over the curtailing of services at Central and Chathiram.

Inaugurating the construction of the Periyar Integrated Vegetable Market, adjacent to the new bus terminal at Panjappur, with bhoomi puja, the minister said the new terminal would start functioning for the public in the first week of June. “As there are some formalities, including floating tenders for the shops to be completed and a few documents pending, the commencement of bus services for the public is delayed. However, by all means, it would start from the first week of June,” the minister said.

Denying social media messages about the fate of the already existing Central and Chathiram bus stands, the minister said that both facilities would continue to function. “The buses bound for Ariyalur and Perambalur would function from the Chathiram bus stand while the buses bound for Karur, Thanjavur, and Pudukkottai would be operated from the new Integrated Bus Terminus, and the Central bus stand will also function as usual,” Minister KN Nehru said.

In response to a query about the ticket fare, he said that it would not be increased and would be fixed based on the kilometre coverage and the existing transport stages.

Tiruchy district collector M Pradeep Kumar, Corporation Commissioner Saravanan, Mayor Mu Anbalagan, and others accompanied the minister.

It may be noted that Chief Minister MK Stalin laid the foundation stone for the Periyar Integrated Vegetable Market on May 9 during the inauguration of IBT in Panjapur. The market, which would be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 236 crore, would enable consumers to have a one-stop shop.