Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) has shortlisted five firms for the re-development of bus terminal-cum-commercial complexes in Patna, Gaya and Muzaffarpur.

The firms are likely to get the contract by the end of August and would have to develop the terminal buildings in 18 months in a public-private partnership mode.

“We have shortlisted the firms on the basis of applications received against the request for quotation. The organisations have been asked to submit their bids in the next few weeks,” BSRTC administrator Uday Singh Kumawat said on Thursday.

“Depending upon the nod from the state cabinet, we plan to award the contracts for development of ultra modern bus terminals in Patna (Bankipore), Gaya and Muzaffarpur by August. The firms would have to complete the work within 18 months from the date of the contracts are awarded,” he added.

The BSRTC had released the first request for quotation for redevelopment of the bus terminals in Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Chhapra, Darbhanga and Bhagalpur on July 6, 2011.

Six applications were received against the request for quotation. Four applicants of the six were shortlisted. Though the BSRTC moved the four shortlisted to the request-for-proposal stage, it was not satisfied with the overall response. Following this, sources said, the corporation issued another request for quotation on March 18, 2012, and extended the number of bus depots from six to 14. A pre-qualification meeting was held on April 5.

Kumawat added: “The contracts for the proposed bus terminals for the rest of the towns are likely to be awarded within the next three months. These modern bus terminals would be a landmark in the passenger-centric infrastructure development of the state. The terminals would be on a par with modern bus terminals in Mohali, Dehradun and Bangalore.”

Sources said the proposed terminals are likely to have contemporary interiors with central air conditioning, along with waiting lounges, automatic schedule display and baggage trolleys for travellers. There are also proposals to equip the terminals with safety parameters like closed-circuit television cameras and metal detectors.