Berhampur: The approach road from the modern bus terminus at Haldiapadar on the outskirts of the city to the National Highway 6 is ready with the necessary redesign. The approach road was the only obstacle to reopen the modern bus terminus.

"We have widened the approach road up to 50feet and redesigned the point where the road joins the highway. The work was completed at a cost of Rs 1 crore," said executive engineer of Public Works Department, Division I, Binod Kumar Padhi.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik had inaugurated the bus terminus on February 2, 2016. "The operation of the bus terminus was delayed badly but now we are hopeful of making it operational shortly," said secretary of Berhampur Development Authority Dipti Mahapatra. "It was delayed as the permission from the National Highway Authority of India was awaited. The works department has undertaken the construction work after the highway authorities finally gave its permission. The works department will soon handover the approach road to the development authority," she said.

The two-storied bus terminus building is equipped with facilities such as rest shed for the drivers, garage, rest rooms for the passengers, taxi stand, parking facilities for buses, community toilets, canteen and ticket counters in the 5-acre complex. The terminus, was built by the Urban Development Department, at an estimated cost of Rs 13.02 crore. Altogether 350 private ordinary buses, 50 private express buses and 28 OSRTC buses will use this modern terminus.

The bus stand at Haldiapadar will tackle traffic congestion in the city. Long route buses will not be allowed to enter the city.