Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Jun 23: The demand of general public for more than a decade, a well-equipped Pumpwell bus terminal under Public-Private Participation (PPP) model, has failed utterly.
The project of building integrated bus terminal and commercial complex was taken up at a cost of Rs 445 crore. The tender for the same was called twice. However, none of the contractors came forward to take up the work. This has proved to be a huge setback. Now the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) is mulling to construct the bus station from its end, using various grants.
Pumpwell bus terminal site (file photo)
Before entering into PPP model, it was decided to take up this work by the government itself. However, none of the contractors showed any interest in that plan also. So it was decided to go for PPP. But that also has failed.
It is learnt that Rs 445 crore is a huge amount and due to coronavirus pandemic contractors are not taking any risk. The yearly interest for Rs 445 crore would be Rs 100 crore. That is why none of the contractors are showing any interest. So the project is limited to only files now.
It was decided decades ago to build a well-equipped bus terminal at Pumpwell in order to reduce the traffic congestion inside the city of Mangaluru. The present bus terminal at State Bank was to be shifted to Pumpwell. 180 bus bays for private and KSRTC buses, shopping mall of 10 lac square feet area and multi-level car parking were included in the project. According to the PPP model those who took the contract would run the facility for 40 years and then hand over the same to MCC.
In connection with the project private land of 7.23 acres area was acquired in 2009. Four years have elapsed since the work of filling mud to this land is undertaken. If the project does not come up in specified time, the land will go back to the original owners. So the MCC has to get this done at the earliest.
Mayor Premanand Shetty says, “None of the contractors have participated in the tender that is called to build a well-equipped bus terminal at Pumpwell. Now the MCC is mulling of constructing the same using grants from various sources.”