Plans to revamp bus depot hit hurdle

The fate of renovation of the Panvel bus depot hangs in balance with state transport minister Diwakar Raote stating earlier this year that bus depots in the state will not be developed on build, operate and transfer basis. He said that ST will increase its income and itself develop modern depots.

The state transport department had proposed to renovate the Panvel bus depot on buildoperate- transfer ( BOT) basis. It had invited bids but Raote’s statement has left the renovation plans on hold.

ST had proposed to develop a five- storey building on 3,860 sq metres plot out of 17,870 sq metres plot of Panvel bus depot and bus stops.

The ground floor will be spread ove r 2,700 square metres, first floor 460 sq metres and second, third, fourth floors 200 sq metres. The development plan also includes construction of bus stops and commercial complex, building over 10,000 sq metres to house employees.

According to the ST proposal, the empty land of the depot would be given to a builder for development. The galas in commercial complex would be given to the developer for 30 years to recover the construction cost.