If Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has its way, work on construction of a swanky new bus stand, in place of the existing old bus stand, would begin by first week of September.

At a meeting held at the deputy commissioner’s office here on Wednesday, KSRTC authorities revealed a blue print of new bus stand and commercial complex. The blue print involves construction of new bus stand, a three-storeyed commercial complex along with the basement for parking.

The meeting was attended by KSRTC authorities, MLA H S Prakash, deputy commissioner K P Mohan Raj, SP Amit Singh and representatives of various organisations.
The basement would be able to provide parking space for 200 cars and more than 600 two-wheelers.

The ground floor would be for the bus stand, canteen, KSRTC office, police outpost, first aid centre, stationary and medical shops. The first and second floor would be for commercial establishments.

Earlier, the old bus stand was in the midst of controversy as various organisations had demanded that 70 per cent of the land should be for the bus stand and remaining space be allotted for the commercial complex.

Bowing to the pressure, KSRTC has reworked the plan and presented the new blue print.
Commenting on the new blue print, deputy commissioner Mohan Raj said that instead of showrooms on the ground floor, the space could be used for setting up a prepaid auto stand.

Also, road widening would be taken up in the nearby roads to ease traffic congestion.
MLA Prakash said that encroachments on Kasturba road should be removed and shopkeepers on the stretch should be provided alternate arrangements.