Coimbatore Corporation has identified the space under the Gandhipuram flyover opposite the Omni bus stand for vehicle parking.
| Photo Credit: SIVA SARAVANAN S

The Coimbatore Corporation’s move to convert the median space under the Gandhipuram flyover—opposite the renovated Omni bus stand on Sathyamangalam Road—into a parking area has drawn criticism.

The Omni bus stand was renovated at a cost of ₹3.68 crore and inaugurated in February this year. The work included 42 bus bays, tensile roofing, seating arrangements, and restroom facilities, with a capacity to handle around 300 buses. However, due to space constraints, provisions for parking were not included on the premises.

To address this, the Corporation began work to create a parking area under the flyover, aiming to accommodate over 100 two-wheelers and about 30 cars, primarily for users of Omni bus stand. However, the work was halted shortly after it began.

A senior official from the National Highways Department said, “Since the Corporation has taken up work on a median that falls under a national highway, they must seek permission from the department and present the design before the District Road Safety Committee. There is no clarity on the proposal, and proper documentation must be processed before starting work. The design should be reviewed to ensure it does not disrupt traffic flow, and entry and exit points should be clearly demarcated. The work must be done jointly with concerned departments, and the issues will be discussed.”

K. Kathirmathiyon, a former member of the District Road Safety Committee, said that the idea of creating parking spaces under the Gandhipuram flyover was discussed during its construction, but was rejected by the Highways and Police Departments on road safety grounds. He alleged that the Corporation went ahead with constructing and inaugurating the renovated bus stand without obtaining approval from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) or securing a licence from the District Collector. “To date, no licence has been issued for the Omni bus stand,” he claimed.

He also pointed out that the original plan was to shift the bus stand to the outskirts of the city, as the present location was considered unsuitable. “Creating parking under the flyover—an idea earlier rejected due to safety concerns—cannot now be justified simply to support the renovated bus stand,” he said. He further noted that, had a proper licence been obtained, the bus stand should have included parking and other required facilities.

A senior Corporation official said they will hold discussions with the Police and Highways Departments regarding the project details. Meanwhile, alternative locations for parking near the bus stand are also being explored.