Seven months on, Panjapur truck terminal remains underutilised

Seven months after its inauguration, the truck terminal at Panjapur continues to remain underutilised, prompting the Tiruchi Corporation to float a re-tender for leasing out shops on the premises.

The truck terminal, constructed at a cost of ₹110.97 crore on a 13.09 acres of land near the Integrated Bus Terminus, was inaugurated on May 9. It can accommodate 246 trucks, including 231 two-axle trucks, 10 three- and four-axle trucks and 5 five- and six-axle trucks at a time.

The facility houses 79 shops — 51 on the ground floor and 28 shop-cum-office spaces on the first floor — ranging in size from 250 sq. ft. to 1,001 sq. ft. The rent has been fixed at ₹132 per sq. ft., with deposits ranging from ₹4 lakh to ₹10 lakh, depending on the shop size.

So far, about 12 shops have been auctioned and the remaining will be leased out through a re-tender process. Although the civic body has floated multiple tenders over the past few months, it has not received a proper response.

With the integrated vegetable and fruit market complex coming up in the vicinity, the truck terminal is expected to be very useful for truck operators from the neighbouring districts. Officials say they plan to complete a portion of the ongoing market within two months and expect this to attract interest in the tender.

“We are planning to commission around 100 shops at the market complex by the end of January and then float a tender. It will become operational once the shops are leased out,” said Corporation Commissioner L. Madhubalan.

Apart from shops, the terminal offers amenities, including dormitories with 84 beds on both floors, drinking water facilities, and separate sanitation complexes for men, women, and persons with disabilities. Parking space has been created for 46 four-wheelers and 102 two-wheelers.

However, several trucks and heavy vehicles are seen parked along the Madurai-Tiruchi National Highway near Mannarpuram and other parts of the city, posing a risk to road users, especially at night.