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No Kilambakkam bus terminus now as ASI delays nod due to presence of megalithic burial site nearby
The much-awaited project that was envisaged to mitigate the traffic congestion in and around Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) in Koyambedu, the Kilambakkam Moffusil Bus Terminus yet again hit a road bump as the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) is yet to get clearance from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), thanks to a megalithic burial site nearby.
By
migrator
migrator
Chennai
“We had sent an application to the ASI seeking clearance. But they rejected it and sought a report on environmental impact in the project area. We had appointed a consultant and prepared the environmental impact report and sent it to ASI,” a CMDA official said.
The official added that they hope to receive the nod before the end of this month. Although the CMDA had completed the tender process, it had not issued work order as it could not commence without ASI’s nod.
The ambitious project was first announced seven years ago but could not see fruition due to several issues including land acquisition, frequent modification of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and an unforeseen objection from ASI. The Kilambakkam bus terminus, near Vandalur, will house south-bound buses thus decongesting the CMBT.
According to the official, the terminus would come up at a swanky 88.52 acres of land and the built-up area would cover more than 44 acres off GST Road at a cost of Rs 309 crore. “The structure of the new terminus will be much like CMBT except it will have car and bike parking on the ground floor. A separate bus stand for MTC buses will be provided,” the official added.
The new terminus will have separate space for the government and private omnibuses with 165 and 85 bus bays respectively. Even though the construction would not happen on the ASI-protected megalithic burial site, getting clearance from them is mandatory as the bus stand would come up just 100 metres away from the site.
Additional Rs 100 crore
While the CMDA floated tenders to construct the bus stand at Rs 309 crore, an additional Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for providing beautification, security and ventilation and other work after the completion of construction. “Tenders for these will be floated after the completion of construction,” the official said.
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