Odisha and Central government to procure 100 buses for Kalahandi Balangir Koraput region

Following report is from expressbuzz.com:

BALANGIR: In order to ensure road communication in the backward KBK region, the State Government will procure around 100 buses, as part of the Central Government scheme, which initially proposed 313 buses in the region. 

Under the scheme, the Central Government had asked the State to submit a detailed proposal with a road map. 

“Since the buses will be run in KBK areas ensuring rural connectivity, there is need for hi-tech monitoring for which the Central Government has proposed to design an exclusive software. The cost of that will also be borne by the Central Government”, said Transport Commissioner-cum-Secretary Satyabrata Sahu. He said that while the State will procure the buses, the Centre will spend Rs 4.5 crore on the software. 

The Orissa State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) has been asked by the State Government to go for bank loan for procurement of buses. There will be e-ticketing and GPS monitoring system to ensure smooth communication. 

“The State and Central governments will bear 50 per cent cost each for running the buses in the KBK areas. The State Government will procure the buses after the loan is availed”, said OSRTC CMD Arun Kumar Samantaray. He said it would take two months to complete the formalities.