Renovation of Baramunda bus stand elicited mixed response from the public
The refurbished Baramunda bus stand, now known as the ‘Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar Terminal’, received a complete makeover as it was transformed into a newly constructed bus terminal. Its inauguration took place on March 2nd, led by the state Chief Minister, Naveen Pattanayak. The terminal has been thoughtfully designed to meet the diverse needs of passengers, ensuring a comfortable and convenient experience. It boasts a wide range of amenities, including office spaces, parking facilities, food courts, restaurants, commercial areas, and more.
The newly inaugurated terminal offers an airport-like experience, aiming to revolutionize transportation in Odisha. The Baramunda ISBT is a significant project led by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), spanning over 15.5 acres of land. Designed to accommodate up to 180 buses across its 6 blocks, it stands as a world-class transportation hub. While the terminal impresses with its grand entrance and systematic layout featuring three main gates, there are still some hurdles to overcome to fully realize its potential. One such challenge is ensuring seamless operations and addressing any bottlenecks that may hinder its efficiency. Gate 1 serves as an exclusive entry point for buses, while Gate 2 facilitates their exit. Gate 3 is designated for the convenient entry of auto-rickshaws, two-wheelers, and other vehicles, enhancing overall accessibility for travelers. Despite these efforts, ongoing improvements are necessary to ensure the terminal functions as an ultra-modern and efficient transportation hub for the benefit of Odisha's residents.
The terminal offers a plethora of facilities catering to the diverse needs of travelers. Among these, the 'Ahaar' center stands out as a highly appreciated initiative, providing essential services at affordable rates. However, other outlets such as ORMAS, Mission Shakti, and others seem to be relatively costly, offering limited utility for visitors. Despite the cleanliness and hygiene standards being commendable, there are concerns raised by visitors regarding the affordability and availability of local food items. While meals are offered at a nominal price of 5 rupees, other food items like tiffins and beverages are priced higher, making them less accessible to middle-class visitors. Although the new terminal represents a significant improvement over its predecessor, there are still aspects that inconvenience the general public. New rules and processes, although designed with good intentions, may not always prove beneficial in practice. These observations highlight the need for continuous evaluation and refinement to ensure the terminal truly serves the needs of all travelers.
One issue highlighted by passengers, such as Itishree Rout, is the affordability of food within the terminal. Rout expressed that while the terminal has been transformed into a modern and impressive facility, the BDA should prioritize the needs of the majority of travelers, who belong to the middle or lower-middle class. Despite offering multiple options, the lack of pocket-friendly dining options remains a concern for many. The 'Ahaara' center stands out as an exception, providing affordable meals. However, other products within the terminal are perceived as high in cost, making them inaccessible to many passengers. Despite these challenges, the commendable renovation efforts by the BDA have been widely appreciated.
The terminal promises to deliver a world-class travel experience by offering a range of modern amenities. These include multi-storeyed car parking, a convenient pick-up/drop-off facility, and a dedicated police facilitation center to ensure passenger safety. An administrative building is also in place to efficiently manage terminal operations. Passenger comfort is prioritized with the provision of toilet facilities, ramp access for travelers with disabilities, and baby feeding rooms for mothers traveling with infants. Additionally, there will be recreational facilities such as a children’s play area and essential services like a primary health clinic. For added convenience, extra parking spaces have been allocated for seasonal buses.
Despite the addition of numerous amenities, a 67-year-old passenger named Nilamani Sahu expressed his opinion, stating, “Apart from ramp facilities and toilets, nothing else is truly essential for passengers who come here primarily to catch a bus. Most of us visit this terminal for transportation rather than shopping. Therefore, the emphasis should be placed more on essential facilities rather than shopping outlets.” “However, this bus terminal is ten times better than its predecessor, yet it could have been made even more user-friendly,” he added.
While a boy named Anshuman Jena expressed his opinion, stating, "The new terminal is a good place to visit, but the facilities provided here are not very useful. For instance, I have been struggling for the past 15 minutes to park my car in the multi-storey car parking. However, the rest of the facilities are really nice."
Contrastingly, the official at the help desk, Sarita Jena, shared a different view, stating, “Most people come to us to inquire about their bus timings. So far, not a single issue has been reported to us. Instead, people express their happiness by availing these changes.”
On the other hand, Khetramani Manik, representing ORMAS, expressed concerns, stating, “We have observed that many people inquire about organic products such as turmeric, Basmati rice, and dry fish. However, due to fewer footfalls, our sales are lower compared to outside outlets.”
He further added, “Although we offer some exclusive products, their sales remain low because people are unaware of them. One such product is ‘Tanka Torani,’ which could see increased sales with proper advertisement.”
While significant changes have occurred at the new bus stand, it still lacks convenience for the public. Many individuals are struggling to adapt to the new system, and the luxurious amenities may need to be tailored to meet the specific requirements and needs of the public.
