State govt plans new, modern bus stand for Mapusa at Rs 192 crore on PPP model

Panaji: A long-pending demand of Bardez residents may soon see the light of day as state govt has decided to construct a new bus stand at Mapusa at a cost of around Rs 192 crore on a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

TOI reported early last week about the pathetic condition of the bus stand, as well as how people suffer due to potholes, minor garbage dumps, and bus shelters. The newspaper also reported how water accumulates on the roads, which were washed away, splashing onto officegoers as they try to negotiate through the bus stand, which deteriorates during the monsoon.

The proposed bus stand will have over 700 parking spaces, including 500 for two-wheelers, around 200 for four-wheelers, and staff parking. The total area to be developed is over 27,000sqm.

It is also planned to have have facilities like two AC waiting lounges with WiFi, a cargo service facility, a restaurant, a ticket area including automatic ticket vending machines, and passenger convenience amenities —separate toilets/washrooms for men and women, baby-feeding rooms, drinking water, a help desk/information assistance booth for all transport modes, wheelchair access, luggage trolleys, baggage trolley facilities, and ATM.

Govt will undertake modernisation and complete redevelopment, operation, maintenance, and transfer of the bus terminal at Mapusa through PPP on the design, build, finance, operate, and transfer (DBFOT) model.

A senior govt official said that the Mapusa bus stand offers a unique strategic advantage, being situated in areas of significant commercial, tourist, cultural, and administrative importance.

The project intends to enable infrastructure provisions including bus bays, parking, fuel station, departure and halting areas, passenger terminal, for operating regulated or obligatory bus services owned and controlled by KTC, other state road transport corporations, private agencies, and other ancillary infrastructure and amenities, including commercial developments as applicable under the governing bye-laws and zoning regulations.

It is envisaged that the new bus station space may be combined with permitted commercial development to make the project commercially viable for development, the official said. Besides, it shall also involve the development of bus port facilities and a business complex. State govt has invited bidders to execute the project.

The successful bidder shall develop the bus stand, including the core facilities, passenger terminal facilities, vehicular parking, and basic enabling infrastructure on a priority basis in the bus station premises within 24 months from the appointed date and, in the case of the business complex, within 36 months.