Messy Majestic? New bus stations on cards

Messy Majestic? New bus stations on cards


Express News Service
First Published : 01 Nov 2008 08:03:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 01 Nov 2008 11:16:52 AM IST

BANGALORE: In an effort to decongest the Kempegowda Bus Terminus (KBT), the state government has decided to build four new bus stations in the city. The new bus stations will come up at NGEF, Hebbal, Peenya and Hosur Road.

Transport Minister R Ashok told reporters here on Friday, that KBT had become too small a place to handle over 700 buses that operate from there every day, thus causing regular congestions in the area.

The KSRTC, which owns the terminus, also has to provide seven acres of land there to BMRCL by March 2009 for building a metro station.

“Keeping these things and future traffic in mind, the department has decided to set up new bus stations,” he added.

The lands had been identified for the bus stations and work would start as soon as possible, the Minister said, adding that temporary stations would be constructed at Shantinagar Sports Grounds, KIMCO campus on Mysore Road and Banana Bazaar near Binny Mills, for operating buses till the new ones were ready.

He said BMTC had decided to construct satellite bus stations at 13 places, including Electronics City, Nagarabhavi, BTM Layout, Anjanapur, Peenya, Chikkanagamangala and Byappanahalli.

Ashok informed that a 46-storey building would be constructed at Kempegowda bus terminus which would be the tallest transport tower in the country.

The three basement floors would be meant for the BMTC bus station, he added.

The project would be implemented on PPP model and four bidders had already been shortlisted, he said.

KSRTC has also decided to construct a bus station near Bangalore International Airport (BIA) at Devanahalli to help commuters from districts.

MARCO POLO BUSES Ashok said that Marco Polo buses built by Tatas at their Dharwad unit will hit the city roads on November 2. Two buses would ply on an experimental basis. Based on the success, the number would be increased, he said. “Travel in these buses will be cheaper than that in Volvo buses,” he added.