Shops, parking services remain unavailable at Solar bus terminal in Erode

With operation of buses from the satellite bus stand at Solar commencing on December 4, travellers are concerned about the lack of parking facility for their vehicles and the shops remaining shut.

Built at a cost of ₹74.90 crore on 19.9 acres, the facility was inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on November 26 during his visit to Erode. According to officials of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) Limited, a total of 117 government buses and 41 private buses will be operated from the terminal to the southern districts every day. Town buses are operated connecting the new terminal with the existing Central Bus Terminal in the city. However, private buses continue to use the city terminal, with only a few buses passing through the new facility from Thursday.

The terminal features 134 shops, six stalls, a dispensary, and four passenger cloakrooms on the ground floor. The first floor houses two restaurants, separate dormitories for men and women, and a hall equipped with modern amenities for commercial use.

Shop sizes within the terminal, main blocks, and small blocks range from 164.46 sq. ft to 373.74 sq. ft, with rents fixed at ₹57.50 per sq. ft. Deposits for the shops vary from ₹3.5 lakh to ₹7.5 lakh depending on their location. Pharmacies and cloakrooms have the same rental rates as commercial shops, though the deposits differ. Restaurants, dormitories, and the multi-purpose hall have rents fixed at ₹34.50 per sq. ft, with deposit amounts varying accordingly.

However, all shops and facilities remain closed, as efforts by the civic body to conduct public auctions have failed twice this year. “Except for the operation of buses, no shops have opened so far,” said a commuter from Karur.

A source in the civic body said fewer than 35 shops have been auctioned so far. The remaining units will be taken up soon now that the terminal is operational. The Corporation lacks adequate staff to operate and maintain the facility on its own, and has therefore decided to engage a private operator.

“The Corporation is in the process of appointing a consultant to prepare a feasibility report and provide transaction advisory services to identify a private company to operate and maintain the facility under a revenue-sharing model,” the source added.