Finally, work on a modernised Central Bus Station (CBS) has begun in the city.
Equipment have been rolling out to demolish the entire old structure along with commercial outlets, reservation counters, canteen, passenger lounge, etc. The reservation counter has been shifted to a make-shift structure created a year ago. Half of the inter-city bus services are now operating from the new City Bus Terminus (CBT) opposite the old CBS. However, the two-wheeler parking continues to be at the old location for the time being.
The modernisation project, conceived in 2009, was delayed because of red-tapism and lack of political drive. However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah laid the foundation stone to commence the works on the last day of the winter session of legislature here on December 3. Subsequently, Transport Minister visited the city in January and set a deadline for all the commercial establishments in the old CBS to shift by January 26.
The construction contract has been allotted to a private company , which is required to execute the Rs.32.49 crore project in a period of 24 months i.e., the people could look forward to a new CBS over 3.08 acres (adjacent to the NWKRTC divisional workshop spread over 4.68 acres) by January 2019, if the pace of works are maintained as per the schedule.
According to official sources, the new CBS will have 41 bus bays, circulation and parking areas, separate lanes for auto-rickshaw and taxi services, basement parking for private vehicles, terminal building with waiting areas, ticket/ reservation counters, cloak room, first-aid room, waiting rooms, rest room for the crew, passenger amenities, yatri nivas (tourist lodge), restaurant, shops and kiosks and administrative offices, and parcel office.
