Rs 205 crore multi-modal hub at Bhubaneswar railway station

An area of 12 acre around the Bhubaneswar railway station at Master Canteen Square will turn into a multi-modal hub under the Smart City Mission project.

“We call it multi-modal hub because from trains to autorickshaws, people have different modes of transports,” said a Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) officer.

According to the design drawn up by Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL), the Bhubaneswar Development Authority and a consulting firm, the Rs 205-crore multi-modal hub will have – bus terminal with commercial area, three high-rise buildings with 20-30 floors for both commercial and residential purposes, four-storey railway station building and other utilities.

1. Bus terminal with commercial area: It will primarily be for Bhubaneswar-Puri Transport Corporation Limited-run city buses. The objective is to provide seamless connectivity. Terminal will enable people to take buses at anytime with ease. Plan to have a fleet of nearly 565 buses to boost urban mobility.

2. Three high-rise buildings with 20-30 floors for both commercial and residential purposes: Residential complex will accommodate railway employees. Commercial complex will house malls, hotels and shops. Administration will also rehabilitate shopkeepers evicted for the project from Master Canteen. Shopkeepers of the Ashoka Market, located adjacent to the railway station, will also be accommodated. The project will also have two-level basement parking.

3. Four-storey railway station building: Existing building will be demolished to bring all facilities including ticket counters, waiting hall, toilets, dormitory under one roof. Basement will have capacity to accommodate 200 cars and 500 two-wheelers.

4. Other utilities: Energy sub-stations, semi-underground domestic and fire-fighting reservoirs with pump rooms, rainwater harvesting system, garbage compartment, landscaped green spaces, internal roads and surface parking areas
Timeline: Three years for completion once bidder is selected.

“We will sign an MoU with the Indian railways for construction of the four-storey railway station building. Other development activities will be undertaken in coordination with stakeholders such as Bhubaneswar Development Authority and others,” said S R Sethy, chief engineer, works department.

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