The construction of a new bus station has failed to gain momentum due to fund crunch. Till now, the construction of the basement and the retaining wall of the station adjoining the Mall Road have been completed. This project costing Rs4.52 crore had received financial approval from the State Government about six years back.
The construction had started in 2010. Due to the alleged indifference of the State Government, the revised estimation of Rs8.52 crore involving this project has not yet been cleared and due to the fund shortage, the construction has remained stalled for the past couple of years. The revised estimation sent by the working agency to the Government has not been sanctioned so far, though two years have passed since. Now the revised estimation of Rs8 crore is learnt to have been sent to State Urban Development Department by the Municipal Council. However, neither the executive officer nor any other staff member could provide details. They only said the revised estimation was sent by the president, Municipal Council Yashpal Benam.
According to the official sources, the new Pauri bus station will be constructed in three phases. It would have a basement area covering 902 square metres with a capacity of parking 38 vehicles. The ground floor will cover 832 square metres with space left for parking 14 buses, while the first floor will cover 902 square metres and will be linked with the Mall Road.
The Public Works department provincial division assistant engineer Thapliyal told The Pioneer that out of the Rs4.52 crore received from the Municipal Board for the new bus station project, only Rs8 lakhs are now in balance and will be refunded to Municipal Council shortly. The Municipal Board has sent revised estimation to Urban Development Ministry. Rs4.52 crore was given to Municipal Board by the Urban Development Ministry in the past and funds were released to the working agency in parts.
The common refrain running among the people is that after Uttarakhand State was created no project has been completed in Pauri town and the State Government lacks vision to develop the regional and district headquarters. New bus station hanging fire for years for fund paucity exemplifies the deep-seated apathy of the State Government on the matter of development of the region, the aggrieved people said.