Nearly two months after the inauguration of Terminal I of the redeveloped Ukkadam bus stand in Coimbatore, 10 commercial shops and two restaurant spaces there remain unoccupied.

The first phase of the redeveloped bus stand was inaugurated on March 13, 2026. The redevelopment project is being carried out at ₹21.55 crore. As part of the first phase, works completed at ₹13 crore were opened to the public.

The upgraded bus stand has 58 bus bays across two terminals and expanded space to facilitate the movement of around 80 buses. Facilities include redesigned bus entry routes, three toilet blocks, two commercial complexes, tensile roofing, seating for 60 passengers and two breastfeeding rooms.

However, the commercial component of the project is yet to witness full activity, with 10 shops and two restaurant spaces remaining vacant. Visitors and commuters said portions of the terminal continue to appear inactive due to the vacant units.

A senior Corporation official said on condition of anonymity that tenders for allotment of the commercial spaces had been floated around a month ago. However, no bidders came forward for the quoted amount. “Only after receiving bids for the tender amount can work orders be issued. Fresh tenders will be floated in the coming week. Since the Model Code of Conduct was in force, tenders were not floated during that period,” the official said.

Traders cited high rents, uncertainty over customer footfall and ongoing operational adjustments at the terminal as reasons for the slow response.