Chennai Corporation Plans 30 AC Bus Shelters and 20 Foot Overbridges

The Greater Chennai Corporation has initiated the process of setting up 30 air-conditioned bus shelters and 20 foot overbridges across congested areas in Chennai to improve commuter comfort and pedestrian safety.

GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran announced that the civic body has called for tenders to engage consultants who will conduct technical, traffic, site, and commercial feasibility assessments for the proposed infrastructure. Tentative locations for the projects have already been identified in consultation with the Greater Chennai Traffic Police and the Metropolitan Transport Corporation.

Once the feasibility studies are complete, selected consultants will determine the final locations and formulate financial models. The projects are planned to be executed through a concession-based model, where private concessionaires will bear the capital expenditure for construction and associated amenities. In exchange, concessionaires will be granted advertisement rights for the facilities under civic regulations. The principal bidding parameter for selecting private partners will be the annual concession fee offered to the GCC.

The civic body also plans to permit the installation of air-conditioned bus shelters as a pilot project and corporate social responsibility initiative. This public-private approach aims to modernise public transport infrastructure and upgrade passenger amenities without imposing capital expenditure liabilities on the civic body.

Before any ground work begins, all selected locations, dimensions, structural designs, and alignments must receive formal verification and clearance from the civic body. Participating firms will be required to submit comprehensive architectural drawings, structural plans, electrical layouts, air conditioning systems, lighting, signage, and amenity details for GCC approval.