Chief Minister dedicated the most modern unique designed and latest facilities equipped Inter-State Bus Stand in Shimla (Tutikandi) constructed PPP Mode to the people of the State.
Chief Minister said that endeavour of the State Government was to construct most modern Bus Stand in all District Headquarters and Sub Divisions with all civic amenities to facilitate the people.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister said that the State Government would be considering connecting the new ISBT through a ropeway with old bus stand and railway station in the heart of the town with scope for further extension to Jakhu with a view to facilitate not only the local commuters but also give boost to tourism. He said that this would be done in such a way that environment and ecology of the town is not disturbed. He said that additional efforts would also be made to construct more lifts and escalators in the town to facilitate movement of people in the town. He said that the new ISBT would be connected with local bus service for the convenience of the travelers. He said that efforts had been made to provide every required facility to the travelers within the ISBT complex which contained not only separate floors for arrival and departure of buses but also provide boarding and lodging facilities with shopping Mall and multiplex facilities.
Prem Kumar Dhumal said that it was during his earlier term that the provision of Rs. 10 crore was made for construction of new Inter State Bus Stand at Shimla and after taking over in 2007 again the Government accorded the construction work of it as a result of which it had been dedicated to the people today.
Chief Minister directed the authorities to construct and maintain bye-pass to facilitate the smooth movement of the vehicles beyond ISBT. Prem Kumar Dhumal said that to ensure that old glory of Shimla which was known world over efforts were being made to add more attractions in the town for the tourists. He expressed happiness that Shimla attracting more foreign tourists than Goa.
Mahender Singh, Transport Minister, thanked the Chief Minister for dedicating the ISBT to the people. He said that more bus stands were being constructed in different towns of the State on BOOT and PPP mode. He said that modern bus stands were being constructed at Mandi, Rohroo, Chamba, Parwanoo and Baddi towns while bus stands at Rampur Bushehar had already been dedicated to the people. He said that the State Government is considering construction of a bus stand for upper areas at Dhalli which would help travelers destined to different locations beyond Shimla. He said that a Master Plan was being prepared to provide modern bus stand facilities at district and sub-divisional headquarters all over the State.
Suresh Bhardwaj, local MLA, also thanked the Chief Minister for providing funds to start construction of the bus stand. He said that the foundation stone of the bus stand was also laid by Prof. Dhumal and a sum of Rs. 10 crore provided to start the construction work. Earlier, Bharat Khera, Managing Director, HRTC, welcomed the Chief Minister and detailed the facilities to be made available to the commuters at the modern ISBT. Ravinder Ravi, IPH Minister, Narender Bragta, Horticulture Minister, Jai Ram Thakur, RD&PR Minister, Sarveen Chaudhary, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister, MLAs, Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of various Boards and Corporations and other senior officers were present on the occasion among others.
