State of the Art Fully Air Conditioned Waiting Hall Comes Up at Mohanpura Bus Terminus
Port Blair, Dec. 14: The A&N Administration is constantly improving the quality of public transport not only by induction of better quality buses but also with improved infrastructure & other allied facilities for the commuters. In line with this, the Directorate of Transport has renovated and upgraded the oldest Bus Terminus, in the City, the Mohanpura Bus Terminus into a fully air-conditioned one. The renovated Bus Terminus was formally inaugurated by the Secretary (Transport), Shri Binay Bhushan as the chief guest by unveiling the plaque and cutting ribbon at a function held today morning.
The Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, Shri Suneel Anchipaka, Director Transport, Dr. Navlendra Kumar Singh, Senior officers of the A&N Administration, officials of the Transport Department and general public were present on the occasion to witness the upgraded facilities at the Terminus.
The Secretary Transport, Binay Bhushan complimented the Transport Department for upgrading the waiting hall into a fully air-conditioned one by providing all basic requirements inside. This is also the need of the hour, said Bhushan.
The A&N Administration is committed to improve Public transport system so as to attract the general public to opt for public transport; ultimately minimize the use of individual vehicles on road. This will help in controlling traffic jams and pollution due to automotive emission to a great extent, the Secretary said.
Bhushan also informed about the procurement of the 40 e-buses. The first prototype e-bus has been delivered to the Transport Department and the test run was successful, he said. The first lot of 19 buses is expected join the fleet by January, 2021 and the remaining 20 buses by the end of March, 2021. Introduction of these buses will be a game changer for Public Transport in these Islands, uplifting the quality of mobility for the common citizens. He also appealed to the general public to give their suggestions for further improvement of public transport.
Speaking as the Guest of Honour, the Deputy Commissioner South Andaman, Shri Suneel Anchipaka said, public transport system is the lifeline of the people in A&N Islands. Moving towards de-dieselization, the A&N Administration has introduced e-vehicles in govt. offices. The Transport Department has introduced AC buses in different routes and now 40 e-buses will be joining the fleet shortly which is a welcome step. He also complimented the Transport Department for timely action for infrastructure development of public transport.
Welcoming the chief guest and others present on the occasion, the Director Transport, Dr. Navlendra Kumar Singh said that better and attractive public transport service plays a vital/important role in the economic development of a place. Pollution free atmosphere, less fatality rate, reduction in traffic congestion, minimizing vehicle parking hassles, freedom of travel in a good ambience and good social connect are the other benefits of using public transport apart from a stress & hassle free journey.
Understanding the requirement of the commuters of public transport and to motivate other personal vehicle users to move towards public transport, the Transport Department planned to move with time and create upgraded facilities for the commuters. The Department is concentrating more on infrastructure development in different parts of the Islands so that the commuters are benefitted out of it, he said.
The Director appealed to the Media as well as general public to suggest measures on improving public transport and also sought ideas to ensure that all parts of the city are well connected by quality public transport.
The newly created AC waiting hall with an area of 387.6 sq mtrs is having TV screens displaying departure timing of buses for the benefit of commuters, CCTV cameras for enhanced security, a beautifully crafted Baby Care Room, small cafeteria etc. The waiting hall also has TV screens on all four sides of the wall for displaying entertainment programs for the waiting passengers. It can accommodate seating of 200 persons at a time. The bus terminus handles about 4 to 5 thousand passengers/commuters daily. All basic amenities like purified drinking water, wash room facilities, ramps & rails for divyangs etc have been ensured in the Terminus. The Department is maintaining a fleet of 284non AC buses and 20 air conditioned buses (on hire) which are providing bus service covering the length & breadth of these Islands.
The inauguration function concluded with the word of thanks proposed by the Deputy Director, transport, Shri B. Binoy.