Mangaluru, Jan 7, 2015, DHNS:

MLA J R Lobo has said that four-storeyed bus stand will come up on 7.5 acre land at Pumpwell. The design for the bus stand will be ready within 20 days.

Briefing reporters, after inspecting the land earmarked for the bus stand, on Tuesday, he said that the MCC had acquired 7.50 acre land for the bus shelter five years ago.

In the multi-storey bus stand, one floor will be earmarked for the parking of buses travelling to Udupi, another for buses plying to Moodbidri-Karkala, Puttur and Kasargod. The top floor will be earmarked for the parking of cars and two-wheelers. Each floor will be given direct entry to the National Highway, which passes beside the identified land. There is no proposal to acquire 11.59 acre land situated beside the existing acquired land, he said.

The MLA said, “we are planning to seek funds from the State government or avail loan from Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance

Corporation Limited. We have to get approval for the design of the bus stand from the National Highway Authority of India. Even the Minister for Urban Development has promised to provide financial assistance fro the construction of bus stand.”

He said that at present 400 private buses and 125 government buses arrive at service bus stand. Every year, there will be 10 per cent hike in number of buses. We have to plan the bus stand keeping in mind the development in the next 50 years. Facilities should be provided for parking of 150 vehicles at a time. The new bus stand will not provide space for the parking of city buses.

MCC Commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati said that District-in-Charge Minister has directed to prepare the blue print of the project before Republic Day. The buses in Mangaluru provide inter state connectivity. There is a need to construct a fulfledged bus stand.” Mayor Mahabala Marla was present.

Courtesy: Deccan Herald