Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the newly-constructed Cuttack Netaji Bus Terminal (CNBT) at Khannagar on the banks of river Kathajodi by flagging off the first bus to pilgrim town of Puri on Saturday.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said Cuttack has been one of the favourite cities for the people of Odisha for its festivals like Dussehra and Bali Yatra, Barbati Stadium that hosts international cricket matches and SCB Medical College and Hospital.
“Today is a festive day for the Millennium City for the transformation it has undergone due to various projects executed for its beautification at a cost of Rs 540 crore,” he said.
Stating that Odisha’s pride Ravenshaw College is now a university, the chief minister said the government is taking steps to convert SCB Medical into AIIMS Plus Health Institution. Strengthening the infrastructures in health, education and communication sectors would lead to a bright future of the city, he said and sought the cooperation of the people in this regard.
“Cuttack is my most favoured city as I was born here. It holds a special significance for me and will remain closest to my heart,” Naveen said.
The 17-acre facility, built at an estimated cost of Rs 90.20 crore, can accommodate 190 buses at a time. The foundation stone for CNBT was laid by the CM on January 23, 2021, on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, who was born in Cuttack and spent his early childhood here.
Besides Netaji Bus Terminal, the chief minister also inaugurated 9 projects and laid foundation stone for 4 projects during his one-day visit to the city. The projects that were inaugurated included Mahanadi campus of Ravenshaw University built at a cost of Rs 66.65 crore, library of National Law University with Rs 30 crore, DAV SCB Medical Public School with Rs 23.85 crore, 550 EWS and 320 LIG houses at Naranpur with Rs 88.31 crore, Silver City Boat Club with Rs 9.72 crore, food court and water sports near Taladanda canal with Rs 5.23 crore, Urban Haat with Rs 3.22 crore, Clock Tower at Ranihat with Rs 54 lakh and Taladanda canal bridge built with Rs 23.35 crore.
The chief minister also laid the foundation stone for Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Memorial to be constructed at an estimated coast of Rs 22.39 crore, health and other infratructures in NLU campus worth Rs 123 crore, Jan Subidha Kendra worth Rs 45.19 crore and 4-lane road near the railway station with Rs 8.95 crore.
Among others, Agriculture minister Ranendra Pratap Swain, Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, Cuttack mayor Subash Singh, MLAs Chandra Sarathi Behera and Soubhik Biswal were present at the function.
CHECK THE FEATURES OF THE NEW BUS TERMINAL
>> A three-storey bus terminal building has been erected over two acre land with separate dormitories for male and female passengers and staff, eight private rooms, commercial area, infant care rooms and waiting lounges. It also has a food court, ATMs and a cloakroom.
>> 180 bus bays have been constructed to accommodate 190 buses at a time on a sprawling 15 acre of land. There are five parking bus bays for 117 buses, 72 idle buses and two emergency vehicles.
>> Separate route and space have been allocated for local and Mo Bus services on the premises. There are dedicated entry and exit gates for smooth flow of inter-district and long-route buses, which has a separate path at the terminal.
>> There is also provision for parking of 275 cars and 1,695 seats spread across the terminal building and bus bays for the passengers.
>> The bus terminal has an Integrated Passenger Management System (IPMS) with three master display and 94 numbers of two line display which will make the journey hassle-free for the passengers.
>> There is also a state-of-the-art Aahaar Centre, which can accommodate around 1,000 people at a time, and Mission Shakti Cafe.
>> It also has a sewage treatment plant, rainwater harvesting system, plantation, toilets with a capacity of 122 closets and 91 urinals, solar panel system with a capacity of 40 KW, drinking water units, police outpost, 32 shops, CCTV surveillance and drainage system within its boundaries.
>> Two channels have been constructed for water to drain out of the bus terminus in case of heavy rainfall.
Also Read: ‘Odisha Govt Ignoring People Of Cuttack’: Mouquim To Skip Netaji Bus Terminal Inauguration
