Date:12/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/12/stories/2008101258920300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Koti bus terminal to ‘go commercial’

Staff Reporter

Commuters can soon eat, shop and spend quality time at the complex

—PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

Commuters’ paradise: The Koti Bus Terminus set to get a new look.

HYDERABAD: Commuters at Koti bus terminal could look forward to eating, shopping and spending some quality time at the terminal, as the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) Greater Hyderabad zone proposes to develop it into a commercial complex-cum-bus terminal.

Five-floor building

The present two-floor structure would be developed into a five-floor building and commuters could alight and board buses on the ground floor.

The Charminar divisional office, bus pass section and Goodwill centre would be housed in the first floor and rest of the three floors would be available for setting up eateries, supermarkets and other commercial outlets.

Amenities centre

It would be developed into a commuter amenity centre providing various services under one roof, including cellar parking.

It was aimed at making it convenient for commuters to shop and eat even while waiting for a bus.

Beneficial

This would be beneficial for both commuters and the Corporation, said Hyderabad zone Executive Director P.V.D Jaya Sankara Prasad.

Thousands of commuters flock the busy terminal which has over 1,200 buses shuttling daily. Given the prime location and the space available, a proposal was mooted to develop the premises into a first-of-its-kind commercial complex-cum-city bus terminal in the city.

The project has been approved by the Corporation and tenders have already been invited to finalise the bidders to construct the structure.

The project is estimated to cost Rs. 5.25 crore and would be completed in one-and-a-half years from now, he added.