The State Government on Friday announced to run eight to 10 buses each in 108 scheduled blocks in 12 districts under the Rural Transport Connectivity Scheme.
Commerce and Transport Secretary G Mathivathanan said this while speaking at the concluding day of the 25th Road Safety Week, 2014 here. “We need an enhanced public transport system in rural areas to cope with the current trend of economic growth in State. Hence, the Government has to run nearly 1,000 buses in 108 scheduled blocks across 12 districts of the State.”
He added that the bus service in rural areas will be implemented on public-private partnership (PPP) mode. A private body will procure the buses on their own while the State Government will bear five percent cost of the bank loan needed for the purchases. These buses will be exempted from giving road taxes and permit fees for five years, Mathivathanan informed. The private company will start the process of procurement buses, the most of which would be 15 to 20 seated, within one and two months. The vehicles would be on roads by April-end, sources said.
Revealing the Government plan for improving public transport system in the Maoist-hit districts, Mathivathanan said, “Out target is to ply at least 100 buses in the Maoist dominated districts. The Government has sanctioned Rs 21 crore to Odisha State Road Transport Corporation for the purpose.”