Southern States - Andhra Pradesh   

Nizamabad RTC to lease out bus stations

By Ravi Reddy

NIZAMABAD MAY 9. The Nizamabad region of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has hit upon a novel idea to give on lease the bus stations which do not attract passengers in the mandal headquarters because of their locations.

The then Chief Minister, N.T. Rama Rao, had issued orders asking the APSRTC to construct one bus station in each mandal under the Telugu Grameena Kranti Pathakam. As part of this 34 bus stations were constructed in Nizamabad district in the first phase each costing Rs. 5 lakhs while two more were added in Makloor and Kammarpalli subsequently.

While a majority of bus stations in the district attracted passengers, RTC officials despite their best of efforts could not persuade people living in Balkonda, Velpur, Jakranpalli, Dharpalli, Birkur, Kotgir, Sirikonda and Tadwai to board buses at the bus stations. The commuters preferred to board the buses at the village instead of walking to the bus stations which are constructed on the outskirts of the mandal headquarters.

RTC officials tried hard to even divert some buses to the bus stations but to no avail. The RTC officials, realising the potential of earning revenue, decided to lease out the bus stations to private persons to start hotels, dhabas, function hall or a school.

The Nizamabad region Divisional Manager, M.Vijay Kumar, told The Hindu that it was a fact that a couple of bus stations in the district are not being utilised by commuters. He said the bus stations had been constructed on Government lands which are located on the outskirts of the mandal headquarters. One bus station in Adilabad district had been leased out to accommodate the Velugu mission office.

He said the RTC tried every means to request the passengers to prefer the bus stations as they provide shelter during summer and monsoon also. "All our pleas fell on deaf ears and the bus stations are of no use'', he said adding officials then decided to lease out the premises to private entrepreneurs. The Nizamabad region recently issued a notification inviting bids for the bus station lease. The tenders are expected to be opened on May 15 to decide about the allotment.

Mr. Vijay Kumar said RTC officials even brought the issue to the notice of the District Collector to find some solution. The district administration evinced some interest in starting the Velugu office in Tadwai mandal but the proposal was dropped later.After the officials exhausted all channels, they decided to go ahead and give the notification.

The Divisional Manager said the highest bidder would be given the lease of one bus station.

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