Modern bus terminal, city bus depot yet to begin functioning

Over seven months have elapsed since the inauguration of the modern bus terminal along with city bus depot at Haladiapadara on the outskirts of this Silk City in Odisha, but the projects are yet to begin functioning.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the projects of the Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) on February 2 last.
"Due to a change required in the design to accommodate more vehicles, the bus stand is not functioning. We will call a meeting soon for functioning of the bus terminal," Ganjam district Collector and vice-president of BDA P C Choudhary said.
He ruled out fresh expenditure for change of design.

Private bus operators said the location of the bus terminus is not suitable as it is located along the National Highway. The design is such that it will lead to more accidents, a private bus operator said.
The development authority has decided to privatise the maintenance of the new bus stand and the depot as it has no staff for the job, its Secretary Dipti Mohapatra said.

The new bus depot has parking capacity of 75 buses. The terminal has all modern facilities along with 21 kiosks meant for shops, official sources said.
As the bus stand is 8 km from the city, there is a need to ply more number of town buses to carry the passengers to the site, Mohapatra said. "We have requested the government for sanctioning 18 more town buses before functioning of the new bus terminal begins, " said the Secretary.

The bus terminal has been developed on 3.9 acres with an investment of Rs 12.87 crore while the bus depot, adjoining the bus terminal, has been developed on two acres at a cost of Rs 2.87 crore. The government has sanctioned the entire amount, the sources said.