GCC to Build 30 AC Smart Bus Shelters and 10 Foot-Over-Bridges Under PPP Model

The Greater Chennai Corporation has initiated plans to develop 30 air-conditioned smart bus shelters and 10 foot-over-bridges across Chennai using a public-private partnership model. The civic body has floated tenders to appoint consultants who will evaluate feasibility and submit their reports within two months.

The projects will follow the Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) and Public Private Partnership (PPP) frameworks. Under these agreements, private concessionaires will bear the full construction cost and recover their investments through advertising rights, while also paying annual concession and licence fees to the civic body.

GCC Commissioner GS Sameeran stated that private investment is being leveraged as the corporation manages financial pressures. As of July 29, the civic body had pending contractor bills exceeding Rs 1,929 crore, with anticipated liabilities pushing the total to Rs 3,435 crore.

Officials and traffic police have tentatively identified 61 locations for smart bus shelters and 57 sites for foot-over-bridges. In the initial phase, 30 bus shelters and 10 foot-over-bridges will be selected based on passenger footfall, pedestrian movement, and commercial potential.

The proposed air-conditioned smart bus shelters are planned to feature CCTV cameras connected to the GCC Integrated Command and Control Centre and police systems, along with charging points, drinking water, free Wi-Fi, and panic buttons. They will also be integrated with the intelligent transport system.

The appointed consultants will assess passenger demand, boarding patterns, available space, and advertising potential before finalising site recommendations for GCC approval.