Ramanathapuram new bus stand opened for public use

 The long-awaited and much-needed Ramanathapuram new bus stand was thrown open for public use on Wednesday following the formal inauguration by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on October 4. 

Though the plea for a new bus stand to get a relief from the chocking old bus stand was raised many years ago, the request was considered only in 2023 when ₹20 crore was sanctioned for the construction of the bus stand on an area sprawling 16,900 square feet.  

Though the construction work was expected to be completed in a year, it took more time than was stipulated.  

The delay led to the continued usage of the older facility causing further congestion on one of the major roads in Ramanathapuram.  

Following repeated petitions and representations to the district administration and the municipality to expedite the works, the construction works were completed earlier this year.  

Still, the facility remained unutilised owing to the delay in formal inauguration. 

“But, putting end to the long wait, the inauguration of the new bus stand came as a relief to the public,” said a shopkeeper nearby.  

A municipality official said that as the formal opening was completed and necessary arrangements at the new facility were fulfilled, the buses started to operate from Wednesday.  

“Close to 380 buses would be operated every day from the new bus stand. Through this, public travelling to Madurai, Thoothukudi, Kumbakonam, Pudukkottai and other nearby districts would benefit,” the official added.  

As the shops inside the bus stand complex were already allotted to the shopkeepers, the shops would be opened in a week or so, the official noted.