SHILLONG: The inter-state bus terminus (ISBT) in Tura is waiting to be inaugurated for a year now.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi said the Government last week approved the concept paper for the management and functioning of the bus terminus.
The Government is yet to decide whether to form a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the bus terminus. It has also not given a tentative date for inauguration.
The construction of the terminus was completed in June last year.
As per the concept note, the terminus will be run either by a society or an agency under the chairmanship of the West Garo Hills DC. An SPV — comprising officials of Meghalaya Transport Corporation, the district transport office, police and other wings of the Government — is also being contemplated.
The Urban Affairs Department has directed the West Garo Hills district administration to go ahead with the formation of an SPV and prepare a memorandum of agreement.
Bakshi said preliminary discussions for the operation of ISBT has taken place with stakeholders like tourist bus operators and “everyone is happy with the commissioning of the terminus”.
Traffic congestion in Tura will be reduced once the State’s first interstate bus terminus is inaugurated.
The government will discuss about feeder services as ISBT is located away from Tura and vehicles will be required to ferry passengers to and from the terminus.
In addition, some small shops will also come up at the ISBT to cater to the passengers.
The Centre had sanctioned Rs 45 crore for the project which covered 90 per cent of the total cost while NBCC bore the remaining 10 per cent. ISBT will accommodate 50 buses plying to and from all corners of the State to Tura.
