Bus terminal fails, Noida to try luck with wedding hall

Noida: Having failed to convert the bus terminal in Sector 82 into a major transit point, Noida Authority is now planning to utilise the mega space by turning it into a wedding venue. Officials said they are considering various proposals to identify alternative ways to use the space and generate revenue from it, adding that they are also considering renting the space out for other purposes.According to a senior official, the Authority is planning to shift some of the work circle offices to the bus terminal premises, which have plenty of vacant space. “Features like a banquet hall can generate revenue and increase footfall at the bus terminal which has huge indoor and outdoor space,” the official added.Furthermore, when e-buses are introduced in the city, they can be operated out of the bus terminal in Sector 82, the official said.Built at a cost of Rs 158 crore, the bus terminal is spread across 31,000 sqm near Bhangel elevated road and was built to station 40 buses at a time.Previously, the Authority had tried to sell the office and commercial space at the terminal but those plans failed to materialise. Planning had also been underway to organise events such as exhibitions, food festivals, etc that could bring in some footfall and revenue, but these plans also never saw the light of day.The terminal was built to host a wide range of amenities, including a lobby, commercial office spaces, a food court, ATM kiosks, passenger accommodations, a cyber café and restrooms. Two years on, however, the terminal remains largely deserted with all its amenities gathering dust in the absence of basic maintenance.The terminal sees an infrequent stream of passengers who visit the terminals to catch the 15-16 buses operating across the four routes the terminal falls on, namely Dadri, Bulandshahr, Khurja and Shakarpur.

Domestic flyers kept in the old terminal

Surat international airport has shifted immigration, custom and security check areas to the new terminal, providing more space for domestic passengers. However, there are still issues with operations between the new and old terminals for domestic flyers.

Stone-laying function for new KSRTC terminal postponed?

The foundation stone laying ceremony for the KSRTC terminal at Karikkamuri did not happen on Saturday. Cochin Smart Mission Ltd, Vyttila Mobility Hub Society, and Kerala State Construction Corporation are involved in the project. CSML official and Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar were not available for comments. DPR preparation and administrative sanction are pending.

Bijwasan rail terminal not on protected forest land: NGT

The National Green Tribunal has allowed the construction of the Bijwasan rail terminal station in Dwarka by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) on land that is not a protected forest but may be a deemed forest. The project proponent needs permission for felling trees.

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