Goa set to spend Rs 700 crore to upgrade 4 bus stands

PANAJI: The state government is set to spend around Rs 700 crore for the construction and upgradation of bus stands in four towns — Panaji, Margao, Mapusa and Bicholim.
The Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) has prepared the estimates, design and concept plan for the four and forwarded them to the transport department, which now has to seek government approval to start the work.
GSIDC has prepared a Rs 350 crore estimate for the construction of a new bus station renewal hub in Margao, a “long-pending demand of the people of South Goa”. It will be built on an area of 38,000 sq m.
Government sources said that the Margao bus stand file is in process, and that a presentation would soon be made to chief minister Pramod Sawant to take a final decision.
As part of the Rs 700 crore upgradation project, the state will also spend around Rs 210 crore for the construction of a new bus stand in Mapusa, “a long-pending demand of the Bardez people”. It will come up on an area of 19,000 sq m. The state government has given provisional approval for its construction.
Meanwhile, GSIDC has also prepared an estimate for the upgradation/new construction of the existing bus stand at Panaji. The total cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 100 crore. In Bicholim, meanwhile, the the foundation stone for the upgradation and renovation of the bus stand was laid in March. The total cost of the project is Rs 18 crore.
The official also said that the state government could approach the Centre as there are many schemes under which state governments can avail of funds for bus stands. He added that the Panaji bus stand project can also be taken up under the Smart City mission as it gets funds to execute such projects.