Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
The Central Bus Stand (CBS-I) in the city will now be constructed on the 'Build, Operate, and Transfer' (BOT) model. The tendering process for this will be carried out soon.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the redevelopment of the CBS-I, along with the busport at the Cidco Bus Stand (CBS-II), took place on August 28, 2019. However, the actual work has not started after the ceremony. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) requested building permission for the new CBS-I building. In response, the municipal corporation directed the MSRTC to pay a development fee of Rs 1.62 crore. However, since the MSRTC is a part of the government, it requested a waiver of this development fee. There were frequent discussions in this regard, and then the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. Two years passed in this process. After that, the contractor requested the MSRTC to terminate the agreement regarding the construction of the CBS-I. As a result, a new tendering process will now have to be carried out for the same work.
Daily 15,000 passengers
The CBS-I is connected to the Marathwada, Vidarbha, Khandesh and Western Maharashtra regions. A total of 200 buses are operated through the stand and over 15,000 passengers commute (come and go) daily through the stand.
The MSRTC executive engineer, Ganesh Rajgire said,” In the second phase, the CBS-I will be constructed on the 'BOT' (Build, Operate, Transfer) basis. The necessary procedures for this will be carried out by the central office soon.”
Benefits of 'BOT'
Under this model, the government does not need to make a large investment, as the capital is raised by the private company. Besides, it completes the work within the specified time, ensuring passengers get facilities sooner. The private company effectively manages the cleanliness, security, and amenities of the stand. After a fixed number of years, the bus stand is handed back to the government, and its revenue is increased.
Disadvantages of 'BOT'
Private companies may increase rent for shops, parking fees, and other charges to maximise their profits. More space may be allocated to commercial shops and stalls rather than passenger facilities. To reduce costs, low-quality materials may be used, which could lead to problems over time. By the time the project is transferred, the buildings and facilities may become outdated, and the government may have to bear the cost of repairs. If the agreement is not well drafted, private companies may try to retain control over the project for a longer period.