Assam minister for Transport, Industries & Commerce, etc, Chandra Mohan Patowary laid the foundation stone of an inter state bus terminus at Tezpur in Sonitpur district on Saturday.
The ISBT in Tezpur, which will be a significant infrastructure initiative for the district of Sonitpur, will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 28.6 crore on an area of 15 bighas which will include a bus terminal and commercial block.
The proposed market complex within the ISBT will consist of 68 individual shops and two multiplexes along with restaurants, etc.
The total parking capacity for buses will be 40 to 50 with an estimated passenger capacity of 10,000-15,000.
In his speech, minister Patowary said, the project is a part of Assam Government’s commitment to improve public transport in the State and provide effective and efficient services to citizens.
The project was announced by the finance minister in his Budget speech this year and after observing necessary official formalities, the foundation stone has been laid and work on the project will start very soon, the minister informed.
Minister Patowary said the Government has taken several steps to improve connectivity in the State and is paying equal importance to all means of transport, including rail, inland waterways and air transport services.
In his speech, he highlighted how improved transport facilities, under the current Government’s regime has managed to attract big investors to the State, which is considered the gateway to South East Asia, and slowly changing the face of Assam.
Minister for Labour and Employment (Ind) Pallab Lochan Das in his speech said the Government led by chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal has worked towards improving connectivity to even the remotest areas of the State, and the Government has been continuously striving to extend welfare benefits to all sections of the people.
Chairman, Assam State Transport Corporation, Ashok Bhattarai said the proposed market complex within the ISBT, which will consist of individual shops is expected to be a game changer for area development and regeneration of Tezpur and also provide a massive boost for employment generation.
The construction of ISBT is expected to have a significant impact on tourism, especially with the adjacent state of Arunachal Pradesh. Additionally, this will also considerably improve the connectivity of Tezpur with several destinations in upper and lower Assam and travel to Arunachal Pradesh.