Berhampur, April 14: The modern bus terminus at Haldiapadar on the outskirts of the city, which was inaugurated by chief minister Naveen Patnaik on February 2, is yet to become operational.

"We will need more time to start operations in the bus terminus," said Berhampur Development Authority secretary Dipti Mahapatra. The absence of a roadmap for buses to use the terminus and also the delay in construction of a flyover connecting the bus terminus with other areas are reportedly delaying operations in the facility.

The city bus stand, which is at present the only bus stand in Berhampur, is being used by both private and Odisha State Road Transport Corporation buses. But because of the lack of space for parking inside the bus terminus, buses are parked the adjacent road causing traffic congestion. This has become a matter of concern for the development authority, which is managing the city bus stand.

District collector Prem Chandra Chowdhary said efforts were being made to streamline traffic movement in the city. "Traffic problems have multiplied as the number of buses plying through the city bus stand has increased considerably. Some buses will have to be shifted to the new bus terminus at Haldiapadar from the city bus stand," Chowdhary said.

Mahapatra said: "Buses going to Andhra or Bhubaneswar will face no problem in operating from the Haldiapadar terminus. But the buses plying towards Aska, Bhanjanagar and Digapahandi will find it difficult to enter the city from there in the absence of a flyover."

She further said the Haldiapadar bus terminus, off the National Highway 5, is situated in an accident-prone area and that the construction of a flyover connecting the bus terminus with the citywill be a safe and practical option.

The Haldiapadar bus terminus was scheduled to be operational from earlier this month. But the decision of the district administration to delay operations at the terminus has raised eyebrows.

Sources said that once the terminus is operational, aaround 350 private ordinary, 50 private and 28 corporation buses would be able to use the facility every day.