Bhubaneswar, 23 December (H.S.) : The Odisha Government will develop a modern ‘Atal Bus Stand’ with airport-like facilities at Baripada in Mayurbhanj district to enhance passenger convenience, urban mobility and tourism, Housing & Urban Development Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mohapatra announced on Tuesday.
Chairing a high-level review meeting, the Minister said the project would emerge as a landmark transport hub in northern Odisha, with no fund constraints, and directed all concerned departments to ensure timely execution with the highest quality standards.
The bus terminal will be built on around five acres of allotted land and feature spacious waiting halls, food courts, retail spaces, universal accessibility, digital passenger information systems, CCTV, Wi-Fi, and green infrastructure such as solar lighting and rainwater harvesting. An integrated depot will support efficient operations and fleet management.
The Minister also asked NHAI to ensure that any proposed flyover near the site does not affect the terminal’s visibility or accessibility. To support sustainability, over 6,000 saplings will be planted by the local ULB, with additional greening over 10 acres funded by the Forest Department.
The new terminal will replace the old, congested city-centre bus stand, ease traffic, improve safety, and boost connectivity and tourism, including to Similipal National Park. The meeting was held at Unnati Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, with senior officials of OSRTC, NHAI, and other departments in attendance.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
