Terminal hits roadblock

Terminal hits roadblock


Bengaluru, June 8: The proposed remodelling of the Majestic bus station is yet to take off. Delay in the construction of the Metro rail has hit the mega bus terminus work which was to start in March 2008. This inter-modal transit centre is an integration of KSRTC and Metro Rail. Due to the delay in the work on the Metro, this world class project is still on paper. "We are awaiting the start of the Metro Rail only then can the re-modelling of the Majestic bus stand begin. Once the project starts, the city will be decongested," said KSRTC director, vigilance and security, Mr M.A. Saleem.

The remodelled bus terminal will have 57 floors and will also include commercial establishments. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 700 crore and it will be taken up under public-private partnership. "KSRTC, BMTC, Metro Rail, Inter-median Public Transport (IPTC) and other private transport will have stops at the remodelled Kempe Gowda bus stand. While, the minus 5 and minus 4 floor will accommodate the Metro Rail, minus 2 and minus 3 floors will have other depots and the minus 1 floor will have BMTC services. The ground floor will accommodate KSRTC buses," he added.

The terminus will be spread over 31 acres of land which will have the public transport on one platform. The proposed ultra- modern bus terminus is touted to be the best globally both in terms of aesthetics and design, claims KSRTC. With the Metro Rail to be accommodated on the lowest floor, nothing can be developed unless the lowest floor is ready. The delay is affecting the already chaotic Majestic bus stand. "It is difficult to board a bus at the highly congested Majestic bus stand. The new remodelled bus station will be a welcome relief. At present things here are totally unmanageable. People have to push, jostle and do everything possible in their means to board a bus," said a public transport user, Shiva Gowda.