Chennai Corporation to develop foot overbridges at 20 congested locations across the city

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The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) will develop foot overbridges at congested locations, with a high footfall of commuters, across the city. The civic body will also establish air-conditioned bus shelters across the city.

GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran conducted a meeting last week to develop the facilities. “The Greater Chennai Corporation has initiated the process of engaging consultants to undertake feasibility studies for the establishment of 30 air-conditioned bus shelters and development of 20 foot overbridges across the city. Tenders for consultancy have been called for,” said Dr. Sameeran.

“Tentative locations for these facilities have been identified in consultation with the Greater Chennai Traffic Police and Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC). These locations will be provided to the selected consultants for detailed technical, traffic, site, and commercial feasibility assessment,” he said.

Based on the studies, the consultants will identify feasible locations and prepare appropriate financial and concession models for implementation. The projects are proposed to be implemented through a concession-based model, wherein the capital cost for construction and associated infrastructure will be invested by the concessionaire. In return, the concessionaire will be permitted to utilise the advertisement rights associated with the facilities, subject to applicable rules and regulations.

The annual concession fee offered by the bidder will be the principal bidding parameter for selection of the concessionaire.

The initiative aims to improve commuter amenities, pedestrian safety, and accessibility while leveraging private investment for creation and maintenance of modern urban infrastructure, said Dr. Sameeran.

The proposed initiative would facilitate the provision of improved passenger amenities through air-conditioned bus shelters, while avoiding corresponding capital expenditure liability to the GCC.

The initiative would also contribute towards improving the quality, comfort, and overall standard of public transport infrastructure within the city. In order to regulate the installation, operation, maintenance, advertisement rights, payment of licence fee, responsibilities of the firms and the GCC, safety requirements and eventual ownership of the assets, it is proposed to permit the installation of air-conditioned bus shelters as a pilot project and as an initiative of CSR, subject to conditions.

“The exact location, alignment, dimensions and extent of each bus shelter shall be verified and approved by the GCC before commencement of work. Architectural drawings, structural designs, materials, electrical arrangements, air conditioning system, lighting, signage, and passenger amenities shall be submitted by the firm and approved by the GCC before execution,” the Commissioner said.

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