Bhubaneswar, May 3: Baramunda bus stand, the largest bus terminus in the state, is in for a makeover after a prolonged period of negligence and apathy.

The bus stand area is full of potholes and piles of garbage are seen lying around the busy facility.

Officials of the commerce and road transport department said the state government had taken a decision to renovate the bus stand last year and that work had begun.

While the approach roads on both ends of the terminal have been repaired, the road connecting the nearby flyover on the national highway with the entrance to the bus stand has been finished.

Another approach road is under construction. Last year, the transport department had sanctioned Rs 1.5 crore for the work in and around the bus terminus.

Commerce and transport minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi yesterday held a meeting to review the progress of the work. He said the state government had sanctioned Rs 2.38 crore for the job.

"This money will be spent on the road repair work as well as renovating the bus parking bays that are filled with craters, ditches and garbage. Besides, around Rs 23 lakh would be spent on building separate toilets for men and women. The existing toilets would be renovated and new ones will come up inside the offices for the employees," the minister said.

He added that other basic amenities would also be provided at the place.

"Along with toilets, there is need for providing drinking water facilities at the terminal. The roof of the seating area, the cemented benches and the existing office building also need to be repaired. The department plans to erect gates at both the entry and exit points," said an official of the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation.

The minister said the modern toilets built inside the bus terminus would be maintained by a private agency.

He promised to ensure 24-hour water supply at the bus terminal.

The drains on both sides would be cleaned and de-silted and the area would be made garbage free. Efforts would be made to cover the drains with concrete slabs. Unauthorised shops and encroachment in the bus terminus will be removed.

The minister said Baramunda would be made into a model bus terminus of the state.

Around five per cent of the 17,000 buses plying in the state use the Baramunda terminus every day. Besides, about 350 light vehicles such as cars and autorickshaws also use it every day. Officials said the remaining work would be taken up shortly.

The state government aims to complete the renovation before Nabakalebar in July when lakhs of devotees will land here for their onward journey to Puri.