BERHAMPUR : The newly constructed modern bus terminus at Haladiapadar on the outskirts of the city is all set to get operational from next month.
The terminus was supposed to function immediately after its inauguration by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on February 2. It could not materialise due to various reasons, including reluctance of the private bus operators. The operators cited that as the bus terminus is located along NH-16, movement of big vehicles could result in accident. The terminus has been built on five acres of land at a cost of `12.87 crore by Berhampur Development Authority.
Presently, the city bus stand is being used by both private operators and Odisha State Road Transport Corporation buses. But the terminus lacks required space for parking, as a result of which buses are parked on an adjacent road causing traffic congestion. To overcome the problem, the BDA opted for the new terminus, said BDA Chairman Subash Maharana. Every day, around 350 ordinary and 50 express private buses, besides 28 OSRTC buses, operate to and from the city.
“Since the traffic multiplied at the new bus stand, we opted for a spacious bus terminus,” said Maharana. The land at Haladiapadar was available in 2013 and construction started in July 2014. It was decided to privatise the bus operation and private bus operators were also convinced to operate from the new terminus, Maharana added.
However, due to change in privatisation plan, functioning of the new terminus got delayed. A private firm will take charge of maintenance and management of the terminus. For the purpose, tenders have been floated and a Bhubaneswar-based firm selected. The firm is scheduled to sign an agreement with BDA this week, he added.