SUNDARGARH: There seems to be no early respite from the nagging traffic congestion at the district headquarters town of Sundargarh with construction of the new bus terminal at Luhuradhipa moving at a snail’s pace.
Sources said the town which has a population of above 50,000 is a victim of unplanned growth.
The present bus stand is located in the area where all commercial and official activities of the town are concentrated. It is situated near the district court, collectorate, district police headquarters and other key Government offices.
In fact, the existing bus stand has been operating at the same place for past three decades covering a space of 25 metres by 50 metres.
Member of Sundargarh Private Bus Owners’ Association Santosh Panda said nearly 160 buses coming from different destinations halt at the bus stand everyday. Despite inadequate space, a majority of the area remains occupied by light motor vehicles most of the time and unauthorised shops make it impossible for even four to five buses to get a parking space.
With a view to ease traffic congestion, the administration agreed to shift the bus stand a kilometre away to Luhuradhipa.
Though work for the new bus stand started last year, the only work that could be completed till now is the widening of Sundargarh main road, said sources.
Executive Officer, Public Works Department (PWD), Homsingh Majhi said the new bus terminal is being constructed on 4.7 acres of land at a cost of ` two crore. The fund has been sourced from Mahanadi Coalfields Limited as part of its periphery development activity, he added.
Construction of terminal hall, including ticket booking counter, waiting hall and other facilities would be completed in about four to six months and once concrete paving of the parking area is complete, the terminal would be ready for use.
Sundargarh Collector Bhupendra Singh Poonia said they aim to operationalise the new facility at the earliest and later another `1.5 crore would be spent to set up a bus bay and other facilities.