Shops allocated through lottery at Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar bus terminal

Bhubaneswar: In a move to enhance commercial activity at the newly-inaugurated Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar Bus Terminal (BSABT), the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) successfully conducted a lottery on Thursday to allocate shops to eligible beneficiaries.The lottery aimed to distribute 112 shops on a monthly rental basis, marking a new chapter for the beneficiaries who were selected through a meticulous survey conducted by the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC). This survey was part of the transition from the old Baramunda bus terminal to the state-of-the-art BSABT.Ensuring transparency and fairness, the lottery process involved beneficiaries drawing tokens from a glass box under the watchful eyes of officials.

Independent observer and general manager of Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited Purandar Nanda supervised the proceedings to maintain integrity.The newly-allotted shops boast modern amenities, including uninterrupted power supply, water connections, and 24X7 security. Beneficiaries are required to formalise their tenancy through an agreement with the BDA before commencing operations.N. Thirumala Naik, vice-chairman of BDA, urged the new shop owners to prioritise hygiene and customer service.

“We request all shop owners to maintain the highest standard of cleanliness and ensure passenger-friendly services. The main focus should always remain on passenger comfort and convenience,” he said.Spanning over 11 acres, the BSABT is Odisha’s largest bus terminal, accommodating over 1,500 buses and nearly 20,000 passengers daily. It serves as a crucial transit hub for both inter-state and intra-state routes, significantly boosting the region’s connectivity and economic activity.