BHUBANESWAR: Seeking to enhance the financial viability and transform the multi-crore Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bus Terminal (BSABT) at Baramunda into a hub of top-end economic activity, the state government has decided to lease out space to IT companies to set up operations in the facility.
Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra on Tuesday said the integration of IT companies would add to the significance of the bus terminal, making it a multi-activity centre beyond transportation.
“Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has already announced opening and operation of a global visa application centre at BSABT. With IT companies also setting up their establishments in the terminal, it will gain sophistication and turn into an elite commercial centre. This will create a vibrant atmosphere. Even the business of small vendors who have been provided shops will grow and flourish,” he said.
Officials said, BDA, which is currently managing the state-of-the-art terminal, has decided to rent out around 60,000 sq ft of space across two floors of the BSABT to the Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC). OCAC will allocate the space to IT companies, paving the way for a blend of transport, services and technology under one roof.
Inaugurated in March 2024, the bus terminal is spread across 11 acres and equipped with facilities such as food courts, shopping outlets, dormitories, ATM kiosks, car parking and more.
BDA officials, however, had pointed out that despite having adequate commercial space, the terminal was bearing huge loss.
Against a monthly expenditure of `1 crore towards payment of staff, electricity and maintenance, the terminal was collecting a revenue of only a few lakhs from advertisements and commercial spaces. “The new move will give a new dimension to BSABT and make it profitable,” an official said.
The minister, on the day, handed over keys of 112 shops to people, who were shifted from the site for construction of the terminal. BDA vice-chairman Chanchal Rana, the local corporator and senior officials were present.
Rana said the vendors were provided air-conditioned shops, enabling them to earn a decent and dignified livelihood. The shops have been allotted to the eligible beneficiaries on the basis of a lottery carried out in September.
The beneficiaries were shortlisted following a detailed survey conducted by the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC), which had managed the old Baramunda bus terminal, officials said.