PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Ramnagar
The construction of Uttarakhand’s first modern bus port at Ramnagar in Nainital district has come to a standstill due to a shortage of funds. Work has been suspended for nearly three months because of a budget crunch. Work worth the originally sanctioned budget has already been completed but now the cost of the project has nearly doubled and the executing agency is awaiting approval for the additional budget.
According to the plan, the state’s first bus port, being built in Ramnagar, is designed to offer airport-like amenities including a fully air-conditioned waiting hall, book stalls, escalators, two lifts and separate lounges for drivers and conductors. The facility will have parking space for over 100 cars and will accommodate operations of more than 200 buses.
Originally estimated to cost Rs 28 crore, the project’s budget increased to Rs 50 crore after the revised estimate. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had laid the foundation stone for the project in 2023. Out of the total amount, work worth Rs 28 crore has already been completed.
The Uttarakhand Transport Corporation assistant general manager at Ramnager depot Naveen Arya said that nearly 80 per cent of the construction work has been completed. Some works like the installation of fire safety systems, electrical installations, and finishing works remain. The file for the Rs 22 crore required to complete the project is pending with the State government. Work will resume as soon as the funds are released, he said.
Junior engineer of the executing agency- Peyjal Nigam, Rajendra Mandolia said, “Some additional work led to an increase in the overall cost. The construction will be resumed immediately once the sanctioned funds are received from the government,” he said.
Locals opine that this is yet another example of the lack of efficiency in execution of important developmental projects in the State while officials state otherwise.
