BDA moots 52 km ring road project, 3 bus terminals and city bus service for Greater Berhampur

City Bus Stand, Berhampur

The much awaited city bus service for Berhampur, Chatrapur and Gopalpur was expected to start from May. Apart from it the Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) has also come up with a plan for 52 km. long ring road around the city limits. Fourteen issues including these two were discussed and decided at the meeting of the Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) held on Friday. This meeting was attended by chairman of the BDA Kailash Rana, its vice–chairman, the Ganjam Collector Krishen Kumar, MLAs of Berhampur, Chatrapur, Gopalpur, town planner etc. Speaking to newsmen regarding the decisions taken at this meeting, Mr. Rana said the city bus service would connect parts of Berhampur as well as adjoining areas like Chatrapur, Gopalpur and Hinjli. Forty per cent of cost of this project would be borne by the BDA, another 40 per cent would be of Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the rest investment would be equally divided among Notified Authorities (NAC) of Chatrapur, Gopalpur, Hinjli and Odisha State Road Transport Corporation.

This city bus project would be started with an initial grant of Rs. 5 crore. Twenty eight buses including three air conditioned coaches would be procured with this fund. The management board of this project would have Collector of Ganjam as its chairman. The Commissioner of the BMC would be the CEO of the city bus service system. Operation and maintenance of this city bus service would be made through a private body, Mr. Rana said. Regarding the proposed ring road around the city, Mr. Rana said a 13 km. stretch of this proposed ring road between Raghunathpur and Ratanpur had already been sent to the government for approval by the National Highway authorities. This 13 km. long bypass would ease traffic on NH59 that passes through the city. The BDA authorities have decided connect Ratanpur to Digaphandi road, Chikiti road, Haldiapadar, Karapalli and Berhampur University area.

Source: The Hindu

Source: The Sambad