Andhra Pradesh: APSRTC to renovate 50 bus stations
VIJAYAWADA: To bring debt-ridden Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) into profits by generating income through available resources, corporation officials are planning to refurbish and develop at least 50 bus stations at various locations across the state. Are considering. Modern features this year.
As part of the proposals, higher officials of APSRTC and the respective district regional managers have conducted a regional study in the respective districts to identify the locations, study the feasibility, profit potential, bus traffic needs, commuter demands and other administrative concerns. Had conducted the survey and presented it. To Choudhary Dwaraka Tirumala Rao, vice-chairman and managing director of the Public Transport Department (PTD).
It may be recalled that with a view to recover from the losses due to the Covid-induced lockdown and rising diesel prices, APSRTC has appointed a committee to identify revenue sources and utilize the land owned by the corporation.
According to APSRTC sources, more than 500 acres of land has been identified for the proposed developmental activities and plans are also being prepared to utilize the land to increase its revenue. Although the corporation had initially proposed to lease out land for setting up fuel stations, in addition to building commercial complexes, there was little response from the parties to the proposals.
For example, APSRTC officials selected Ravulapalem bus station in West Godavari district to develop by converting the station into a three-storey complex. The first floor of the bus complex will be used for passengers while the second and third floors are planned to be converted into commercial space. Similarly, there will be passenger amenities like internet cafes, dormitories and convention centers at all the identified bus stations.
“Now, APSRTC is gradually recovering from its long-pending loans and is in a position to develop bus stations on its own. If there is a requirement, the corporation will work under the public-private partnership (PPP) model or the Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) model,” said a senior official on condition of anonymity.
It may be recalled that RTC has renovated several bus stations across the state in 2016 and leased out space to house various government departments, which have shifted from Hyderabad to Vijayawada after bifurcation.
Three storey bus complex at Ravulapalem
APSRTC officials chose to develop the facility by converting the Ravulapalem bus station in West Godavari into a three-storey complex. The first floor will be used for passengers while the second and third floors are planned to be converted into commercial space.
