HYDERABAD: In his bid to reconstruct reorganised Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is all set to go on a “demolition drive” very soon.
It may sound strange, but, Naidu is learnt to have decided to demolish existing bus stations in prominent cities and towns across AP only to go in for construction of shopping malls and multiplexes to generate additional income for the debt-ridden State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC).
In the fist phase, the government is planning to construct multiplexes in cities like Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur and Tirupati. These complexes would be built under “Build, Operate and Transfer” (BOT) model. “This would help the corporation generate funds up to `500 crore. Chief Minister Naidu is very much interested in this proposal,” AP Minister for Transport Siddha Raghava Rao told reporters here Wednesday.
Speaking to mediapersons over the achievements of his department in the past 100-day rule of the government, Raghava Rao disclosed that the State government would very soon build multiplexes after demolishing existing bus stations at Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur and Tirupati to help APSRTC mobilise financial resources.
“After pulling down the bus stations in these cities, the government wants to construct multiplexes where bus stations would be set up in the underground and multiplexes and shopping malls would be constructed on top of the basement,” Raghava Rao said.
According to the minister, the government wants to implement the same model in all the districts across the State in a phased manner after completion of multiplexes at Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur and Tirupati.
Meanwhile, the minister warned private bus operators against charging high rates on occasions like festivals. “Private bus operators will not be allowed to charge special rates during festivals. They have to follow the tariff fixed by the RTC during festivals. If they fail to follow the rule, their licences will be cancelled,” the minister said.
He further disclosed that the APSRTC was planning to obtain 2,100 additional buses to meet the demand across the State and also to face competition from private bus operators. “APSRTC wants to purchase 1100 buses and hire 500 private buses. We are planning to get another 500 buses under the JNNURM funds. By coming March, all the 2,100 new buses will join RTC’s fleet,” Raghava Rao said.
Demo Corridor by June Next
Transport Minister Siddha Raghava Rao said the government had expedited construction of “Demo Corridor Project” between Reniguta in Chittoor district and Rayalacheruvu in Anantapur district as well as between Renigunta and Kadapa. The project is being undertaken with the help of the World Bank and costs around `132 crore. The idea behind this project is to integrate various departments such as Transport, Roads, Medical and Police to avoid accidents on roads and also to provide “trauma care” for accident victims. The government wants to complete the project by June 2015.
What an Idea!
AP to go in for construction of multiplexes in cities like Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur and Tirupati by demolishing existing bus stations there.
Bus stations would be set up underground and multiplexes and shopping malls constructed on top of the basement.
These complexes would be built under “Build, Operate and Transfer” (BOT) model.
This would help the APSRTC get funds up to `500 crore.