Tiruchi Corporation suggests outsourcing of operation, maintenance of new bus terminus

Mayor M. Anbazhagan speaking at the council meeting of the Tiruchi Corporation on Friday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Tiruchi Corporation on Friday resolved to send a proposal to the State government, seeking its approval for handing over the operation and maintenance of the Integrated Bus Terminus (IBT) at Panjappur to a private company.

As per a resolution, unanimously passed at its council meeting, a consultancy firm appointed to prepare a feasibility report and provide transaction advisory service for identifying for the entire operation and maintenance through revenue-sharing model and conventional method for the new bus terminus, had submitted its report to the Corporation. It was subsequently sent to the Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructural Development Board (TNIBD) through the Commissioner of Municipal Administration. After studying the feasibility report, the Corporation had given its approval in principle to hand over the operation and maintenance of the new bus terminal to a private firm for 15 years. The proposal would be sent to the Commissioner of Municipal Administration for its nod.

When a few councillors expressed their reservation for giving the right for 15 years, Mayor M. Anbazhagan said the contract would be awarded with conditions. If the contractor violated any of the conditions, the Corporation could cancel the contract.

V. Jawahar, Congress member representing Ward 3 and K. Sureshkumar, Communist Party of India member representing Ward 23, said that according rights for operation and maintenance of any facility to a private person for 15 years was too long. Contract for three years would be ideal.

Participating in the discussion on issuing no-objection certificate to the Revenue department for providing patta to poor people, who reside on puramboke lands for several years, Mr. Jawahar said it was a welcome move. Similarly, the State government should solve the property dispute between the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment and the residents of Srirangam. They had titles and other revenue documents in their names. However, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple administration had claimed ownership of several properties. It had severely hit the residents of Srirangam. Though the issue was raised on many occasions, the issue had not been solved. The Corporation continued to provide all basic civic infrastructure to the residents of Srirangam. However, it could not generate revenue on many fronts due to the ownership claim of the temple administration.