--Spots visited by RDC, SMC Commissioner
PNS
: The district administration at Sambalpur has taken initiatives to have a 'City Bus Terminal' near the bus stand area to accommodate city buses during their leisure hours and at night in particular.
For this purpose, RDC (ND) of Sambalpur Dr Suresh Chandra Dalei and Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Sahu visited Kainsir area, close to Ainthapali main bus stand, to find suitable places for the terminal.
Notably, Kainsir is a growing area now close to Ainthapali on Hirakud (Jamadarpali) airstrip road. The city bus service under Western Odisha Urban Transport Service Limited (WOUTSL) began in Sambalpur on January 29, 2014 amidst a lot of protests from the private sectors.
The SMC invested capital of 40 per cent, SDA 27 per cent, Jharsuguda Municipality and Bargarh Municipality 16.5 per cent each for the WOUTSL which became popular for its timely and speedy services.
But nine years after its functioning, it has no infrastructure of its own. The buses rest in the OSRTC garage inside the city during night, having insufficient space. It also faces similar problems for even minor repairs. Hence, a city bus terminal has become necessary for which the administration, of late, has started a process.
"We have seen two/three places. We will finalise a place soon for the purpose," said SMC Commissioner Sahoo. He further informed that efforts were being made to launch ‘Mo Bus’ service in Sambalpur through e-vehicles.