City Bus Service Remains Paralysed In Berhampur

Berhampur: The City Bus service in Berhampur is in a limbo as most of the buses have been damaged due to lack of use and are lying idle.

The City Bus service in Berhampur launched on February 27, 2014 with plying of 7 buses. The Urban Development department had provided 32 buses to the Ganjam Urban Transport Services Limited (GUTSL), the special purpose vehicle (SPV) which is facilitating the city bus service, in the same year phase wise. Another 10 new buses were provided under JNNRUM programme recently.

According to sources, 28 buses including 10 new buses are lying idle in Haladiapadar Bus Terminus for three years. The vehicles have been badly damaged for lying idle for such a long period. Now, only 14 city buses are running, while the GUTSL is yet to get route permit for the new buses.

The GUTSL has also not convened a formal meeting for a long period to discuss the issue. Besides, the private operator for the City Bus service in Berhampur has not submitted its due of Rs 2934 per each bus towards operation as per the agreement earlier, the sources said.