SAMBALPUR: The city bus service, which was launched by the Chief Minister on January 29, will operate from a separate terminus.

The Housing and Urban Development Department recently sanctioned ` two crores for the terminus. The Western Odisha Urban Transport Service Limited (WOUTSL) and Paschim Odisha Paribahan Company (POPCO), which are jointly responsible for running the city buses, had submitted a proposal in this regard.

Initially, it had been planned that the city buses will operate from the modern bus terminus being developed at Ainthapali along with buses of OSRTC and private buses. But, with private bus owners opposing the proposal, the WOUTSL decided to operate from a separate location to avoid confrontation.

Chief Executive Officer of WOUTSL and Executive Officer of Sambalpur Municipality Aniruddha Pradhan said they are mooting to procure land adjacent to the modern bus terminus and develop an exclusive terminus for city buses to smoothen traffic movement and promote public transport. Moreover, Pradhan said they plan to publish booklets containing route chart and timing of arrival and departure of city buses for distribution among the commuters.

Currently, the city buses are operating from the OSRTC Bus Stand located in the heart of the town near Laxmi Talkies Chowk.

Source : New Indian Express...