The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) is grappling with a lukewarm response from bidders for its ambitious truck terminus project, which is slated to be developed on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis at Adgaon. This state-of-the-art facility, estimated to cost over Rs 150 crore, is planned on 30 acres of civic-owned land at the existing old truck terminus in Adgaon, located on the outskirts of Nashik.
Project Overview and Modern Vision
The project envisages transforming the current site into a modern logistics hub with advanced facilities, to be executed through a private agency. It is designed to cater to the growing needs of transporters and freight operators, providing a dedicated space for parking trucks and containers. This initiative is particularly crucial in anticipation of the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela in 2027, which is expected to significantly increase vehicular movement and demand for robust transport infrastructure in the region.
Bidding Challenges and Timeline
Due to the poor response from bidders, the civic body has re-floated the tender for the third time. The last date for filing bids is February 11, with a pre-bid meeting scheduled online on January 29. An NMC official, in a conversation with TOI, expressed optimism about completing the tender process and awarding the work order to the concerned contractor by the end of February, provided there is a good response to the bids.
The official stated, "Earlier, we floated the bids twice, but we did not receive a good response. We floated the tender for the third time to develop the truck terminus at the existing terminus of the civic body." This reiteration highlights the civic body's commitment to moving forward with the project despite initial setbacks.
Facilities and Development Scope
The truck terminus is to be developed on a design, develop, finance, operate, and maintain basis. The selected agency will be responsible for creating ancillary facilities to ensure a better and more comfortable experience for truckers. Key features of the project include:
- Parking space for approximately 300 trucks.
- Commercial facilities such as storage areas for loading and unloading goods, which aim to decongest the city and access roads.
- Additional amenities like a weighbridge, truck workshops, retail outlets, transport offices, showrooms, motels, and hotels.
- Landscaped green areas covering around 15% of the total 30-acre site.
Long-term Maintenance and Concession
The contractor will maintain the facility throughout a concession period of 30 years, which includes 2 years for construction. After the completion of this period, the project site will be handed over to the civic body as per the provisions stipulated in the concession agreement. This long-term arrangement ensures sustained operation and upkeep of the terminus, aligning with the city's infrastructure goals.
Overall, the Nashik truck terminus project represents a significant step towards enhancing urban logistics and preparing for major events like the Kumbh Mela, despite current bidding challenges.
