Date:18/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/18/stories/2008111858690300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Koyambedu truck terminal DPR to be prepared

K.Lakshmi

No contractor submitted bid in response to tender

— Photo: K.Pichumani

WAY FORWARD: Trucks will soon have a parking yard at the Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex.

CHENNAI: After finding no takers for its tender to set up a truck terminal, the Market Management Committee of the Koyambedu Wholesale Market has decided to comision a detailed project report for the proposed facility.

Though there were several enquiries in response to the tender, not a single contractor submitted bid as they were unsure of the economic viability of the project, an official of the Committee told The Hindu recently.

A vacant land of 7.6 acre in the market complex has been earmarked for the terminal, which would be the second such facility in the city after the one in Madhavaram. Apart from providing parking facilities for vehicles bringing produce from different locations, including neighbouring States, to the complex, the terminal is expected to ease traffic congestion in Koyambedu.

The trucks coming to the market are either parked on the stretch of Poonamallee High Road near the market or the Inner Ring Road, resulting in traffic bottlenecks. Compounding the problem is the presence of the mofussil bus terminus in the neighbourhood.

The truck bays in the complex are used only for unloading the produce. About 3,100 shops in the complex spread over 60 acres receive 1 lakh visitors daily.

The DPR would cover various aspects of the project to be implemented on a public private partnership mode, including its financial viability and sharing of the revenue and maintenance cost. The terminal is for accommodating about 500 trucks.

On its part, the Market Management Committee would provide land and bear the cost towards the electricity and provision of borewell. The private partner would be required to do the flooring, set up eateries and provide security measures.