Ramanathapuram municipality urged to re-open the renovated new bus stand early

People of Ramanathapuram demand for the early opening of new bus stand where renovation work has been on for more than over 18 months

People of Ramanathapuram demand for the early opening of new bus stand where renovation work has been on for more than over 18 months.  

To accommodate the increasing number of buses, the new bus stand, which was earlier in use, was closed for expansion work in August 2023.  

The ₹20-crore project was to envisaged expand the new bus stand to 16,909.5 sq. ft.

R. Guruvel, district secretary, CPI (M), said though the distance between the old and new bus stands was not a major issue for the public, dealing with the overcrowding was.  The old bus stand, which was closed following the opening of new bus stand, was re-opened as an alternative to the new one till the expansion work was completed, he added. 

As it was said that the old bus stand would be closed again once the new bus stand was opened, he suggested that the old bus stand could still be used be as the town bus stand after carrying out minor renovation. Otherwise, buses from Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Rameswaram could use the old bus stand to avoid congestion in the new bus stand, he added. 

He said if the suggestion was considered, the overcrowding issue in a single location could be avoided.  

A senior municipality official said since the contractor who had taken up the job had delayed it, the work was expected to be completed by February.