HUNT BEGINS TO SELECT ARCHITECT FOR SMART BARAMUNDA 

Bhubaneswar, July 27: The development authority today began the process to select an architecture and urban design consultant to develop the ambitious inter-state bus terminal (ISBT) at Baramunda here.

The plan requires the consultant to conduct a market assessment and develop a state-of-the-art bus terminal, which will have all necessary facilities for passengers. The aim is to provide convenient and easy transfer experience for commuters through a multi-modal approach.

The design components of the project will integrate mixed use of land, which will have a combination of commercial office space, retail space, multi-level car parking and open public space. The terminal will have passenger pick-up and drop-off facilities for private vehicles, pre-paid auto-rickshaws, taxis and cycle rickshaws.

"We have decided that Baramunda City Bus Terminus will have world-class passenger amenities. We held several meetings with various stakeholders and decided to take over the project in Baramunda," said Krishan Kumar, vice-chairman of the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA).

Baramunda bus terminal is the biggest such facility in the state spread over an area of about 15.5 acres. The terminal is used for both intercity and inter-state bus operations. Approximately 800 buses use the terminal every day as the site is well connected with the city and other areas through NH-5.

Sources said the ISBT would be designed to integrate an efficient fibre-optic network, Wi-Fi connectivity, an area-wide, real-time parking information display system, coordinated transit information system for intra or inter-city bus services and a future mass transit system.

It will also have provision for controlled access management to allow pro-active monitoring of the development, including CCTV surveillance. "The city was selected as the smartest in the country. We have to showcase its quality infrastructure and services. The administration should plan this accordingly," said Sushree Ankita, a resident of Nayapalli.

The preliminary project report accessed by this newspaper suggests that the design of the new ISBT at Baramunda will be flexible enough to complement nearby areas, represent the state's culture, architectural elements used in buildings and monuments of the state capital and be aesthetically appealing while establishing a unique identity for a modern urban centre. People with mobility limitations will have easy access to the bus terminal. The facility will also have child-friendly features and design elements, while all its nooks and corners adhere to universal accessibility guidelines for the entire project.

In the meantime, to serve the parking demand, the ISBT will have multi-level parking. The design solution will include the possibilities of integrating future mass transport facilities as well as other components such as Intermediate Public Transport in the form of bicycles, auto-rickshaws, taxis and car sharing, passenger information centre and parking for the specially-abled and VIPs. "The tender papers will be available from July 27 till August 30. We plan to have a pre-bid meeting on August 9 and answer the queries of the bidders. If all goes according to plan, we hope to begin the work by December. The selected bidder will get 180 days to complete the project," said an official of the development authority.