Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Jan 9: The new bus terminal at Pokhariput has all basic amenities but JNNURM buses operator – Dream Team Sahara (DTS) – has not yet shifted its base from Master Canteen depot to the new terminal.
The DTS operates its fleet from Master Canteen bus depot even though the 4.5 acre Pokhariput facility is literally lying idle despite government’s whopping investment.
DTS under state-owned Bhubaneswar Puri Transport Services Limited (BPTSL) has started operations October 10, 2010 with only 10 buses, but today it is managing a fleet of 145 buses including 12 air-conditioned ‘Redline’ on 21 routes in the city, Cuttack, Puri and surrounding areas.
Notably, Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) had spent `1 crore to develop Pokariput depot-cum-terminal which became functional March 31, 2013 after missing several deadlines. The main terminal is equipped with maintenance workshop, parking space, shelters and rest rooms for DTS staff.
Sources in DTS claimed that bringing the buses from the end points to the main terminal at Pokhariput would be a costly affair for the operator which complains that it is incurring losses due to poor passenger occupancy on most of its routes.
DTS, which has not reduced its common passenger fare despite sharp fall in diesel prices in the past six months offered a 10 per cent additional travel value for smart card users. Cards are being provided free of cost to passengers. BPTSL chairman and Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena expressed ‘astonishment’ over the matter and said he would ask the DTS to start using Pokhariput main terminal to strengthen operations.
“I will look into the matter. If Pokhariput terminal is under-utilised, DTS would be asked to shift its operations from Master Canteen depot immediately for the convenience of passengers,” he said.
DTS chief executive Sudhansu Jena, however, said 30 buses are being parked at Pokhariput and 60 at Master Canteen. “Currently, it is not viable for us to park the entire fleet of over 140 buses at Pokhariput as it would increase our losses. If a bus is culminating at Kalinga Vihar then it would be very expensive to park it at Pokhariput instead of at Master Canteen depot,” he reasoned. Sudhansu further said as per the agreement with Orissa government, at least 40 destination terminals should be developed by the government.