BERHAMPUR: The modern bus terminus at Haladiapadar, 5 km from here, remains unused since it was opened in 2016 by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Constructed at an estimated cost of `12 crore, the terminus, spread over five acres of land, aimed at easing traffic congestion in Berhampur and provide better facilities to passengers and bus staffers. At present, the city bus stand is being used by both private operators and Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) buses.
But the bus stand 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 in 2010 and work started in 2014.
The terminus has 50 bus bays, a two-storey building with facilities of rest rooms for bus staff and passengers, a taxi stand and parking facilities.
As per reports, the terminus was supposed to function immediately after its inauguration, but it could not materialise due to various reasons, including reluctance of private bus operators. They cited that as the bus terminus is located along National Highway 16, movement of big vehicles could result in accident. Later, a diversion was constructed at the spot on NH-16 with a traffic post for smooth passage of vehicles. While buses for Andhra Pradesh and Bhubaneswar will face no problem in operating from the new bus stand, buses plying on Aska, Bhanjanagar and Digapahandi routes have to pass through city traffic congestion.
Moreover, since Haladiapadar bus stand is located 5 km from the city and the area is also underdeveloped, passengers would not prefer to cover the distance. Unless the city is expanded to the border, Haladiapadar bus stand may not be viable for public, sources said. Similarly, the district administration had announced to start work on 46-km ring road to ease traffic in 2013, but the project hangs fire. Till date, tender for the ring road has not been floated and the proposal has remained a non-starter.
Sources in BDA said the bus stand would operate soon.