Bhubaneswar: The ambitious Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT) planned at Baramunda has run into trouble with the development authority reinitiating the tender for the project.

The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), which had floated the tender for the project in March, has cancelled it on Saturday. They are preparing to float a fresh tender. Sources said the delay to get no-objection certificates from various agencies prompted the BDA to cancel the tender.

Though the design for the bus terminal project was prepared in January, it faced hurdles when the state planning board found it difficult to give its nod in the absence of no-objection certificates from the airport authorities and the fire services department.

BDA insiders said the tender expired on the stipulated time and the bidders' meeting could not be held as the airport authorities raised objections about the height of the structure, which would come up in its vicinity. Sources said the design would be redrawn and the issue of height addressed.

Any structure coming up within a 20km radius of airports have to bide by civil aviation norms. According to the design of the ISBT, which will be a four-storeyed structure and is 5km from the airport, the project's height will be around 35 meters.

"The airport authorities will do an inspection of the project to suggest new height for the structure. It will then be incorporated in the new ISBT design and a fresh tender be floated. We have already got clearance from other agencies," said a senior BDA official.

Due to the delay in the execution of the project, Baramunda bus station, which is the biggest such facility in the state, is reeling from various infrastructure problems and other civic issues. The approach roads have been damaged in the rain, while management of solid waste is a major worry for resident.

"Any city or town is judged by its gateways, which are usually the airports, bus stations and railway stations. These places should be developed and maintained properly. While the airport is fine, the railway station or the bus terminus doesn't leave a good impression on outsiders," said Khandagiri resident Rajesh Tripathy.

Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said they do work hard to provide better civic services at the bus station.

"The BDA is trying to improve infrastructure at the bus terminus while we are looking after the management of other civic services. I will visit the place to take stock of the situation," said Jena.