The Corporation’s integrated bus terminal at Solar in Erode in Tamil Nadu on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: GOVARTHAN M.
The Erode Corporation has appointed a consultant to identify a concessionaire to operate and maintain the integrated bus terminal at Solar, which has remained underutilised, with only Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) buses operating from the facility.The consultant will prepare a feasibility report and provide transaction advisory services to identify a suitable operator under a revenue-sharing or conventional model.The e-tender floated in August 2025 was participated in by New Delhi-based Jones Lang LaSalle Property Consultants Private Limited and a Chennai-based architectural firm. Following two rounds of price negotiations, the tender was awarded to Jones Lang LaSalle, the lowest bidder, for ₹42.48 lakh. The Corporation Council recently passed a resolution approving the award of the contract.The terminal, constructed at a cost of ₹74.90 crore, became operational on November 4, 2025, with TNSTC services to the southern districts. Spread over 19.9 acres, it has a built-up area of 12,247 sq. m. and comprises 63 bus bays, 134 commercial units, parking space for 883 two-wheelers and an autorickshaw stand for 100 vehicles.However, private bus operators refused to shift their services to the terminal and obtained an order from the Madras High Court. Consequently, only TNSTC buses have been operating from Solar to Karur, Tiruchi, Madurai and other destinations in the southern districts.Corporation officials said the civic body did not have adequate manpower to independently oversee the operation and maintenance of the facility. It had, therefore, decided in September 2025 to engage a private operator.The consultant will assess the scope for future development of the facility under a public-private partnership model. “The focus will be on utilising the available space for revenue generation, preparing an operation plan, creating a revenue model and framing the terms and conditions for operation and maintenance,” an official said. Published - August 13, 2026 05:52 pm IST
