Siliguri, Oct. 8 -- After a long wait, construction of a new bus terminus at Paribahan Nagar in Matigara is set to begin, with the foundation stone laid by two state ministers on Thursday. The bus terminus will be developed jointly by the Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA) and the state Transport department. The project is estimated to cost around Rs 4 crore and will occupy approximately 30 per cent of the land at Paribahan Nagar.
Around 200 buses can be accommodated there. Authorities expect the new terminus to reduce the pressure of buses on major roads and help ease traffic congestion in different parts of Siliguri. Tourism minister Shankar Ghosh and Minister of State for Transport Anandamay Barman laid the foundation stone for the project.
Transport MoS Anandamay Barman said: "The new facility is expected not only to reduce traffic congestion but also to boost commercial activity in the Paribahan Nagar area. With increased movement of passengers and buses, hotels and restaurants in the locality are likely to see greater business, potentially benefiting local residents economically."
He further informed that the existing truck terminus in the location will be shifted to Ghoshpukur. Plans are also underway to make greater use of the smaller bus stand at Noukaghat. In addition, the administration is considering further infrastructure development in areas such as Mallaguri, including parking facilities and a bus terminus.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.