Pokhariput bus terminal to open in New Year
After several postponements, the state government has decided to make the under-construction OD (originating and departure) terminal of city bus service at Pokhariput operational from January 1, 2013.
Though BDA was entrusted with construction of the main terminal over five acre of land at Pokhariput, the project has been moving at a snail’s pace. The authority has missed several deadlines, notwithstanding repeated reminders by the chief secretary and H&UD secretary.
Though the city needs 22 OD terminals, the government had announced to construct only 12. But, not a single OD terminal has been made operational till date.
While the Pokhariput terminal will be commissioned on priority basis, the H&UD department has asked BDA to complete construction of the proposed terminals at Chandrasekharpur and Ghatikia by March 31, 2013. “But BDA will have to provide minimum facilities at the two sites by February 1, 2013 so that the operator can use those terminals from the same day,” the letter said.
The state housing and urban development department (H&UD) has instructed Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) to provide basic facilities at the proposed terminal by December 31, 2012. “The remaining infrastructure needs to be completed by March 31, 2013,” said a letter to BDA. “Dream Team Sahara, operator of the city bus service, will start operations at the terminal from January 1,” the letter said.
The urban development department has asked DTS to start using a government land at Sikharchandi for a terminal on Infocity route. “DTS can construct temporary structures on the land belonging to IDCO. Construction of terminal would be discussed later in consultation with the corporation,” the letter said.
“We hope the state government keeps its word this time. In the absence of OD terminals, we are forced to make idle runs and so far lost nearly Rs 45 lakh as all 95 buses have to return to the temporary bus terminal at Master Canteen after dropping off passengers at the last stoppage,” DTS chairman Nishikant Mishra said. “The diesel prices went up soon after we revised the tariff last month,” Mishra said. A proposal seeking another rate revision has been sent to the state government, he said.
