BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government has decided to bring all bus stands currently managed by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) under the jurisdiction of the Commerce and Transport Department as part of the newly approved “Atal Bus Stand” (ABS) scheme aimed at modernising and standardising public transport infrastructure across the state.
According to a recent resolution issued by the Transport Department, the initiative seeks to establish a unified system for the construction, renovation, operation, maintenance and management of bus stands in Odisha. The scheme is expected to improve operational efficiency, passenger convenience, sustainability and revenue generation while ensuring better protection and utilisation of public assets.
The Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) will play a central role in implementing and managing the scheme. Under the plan, OSRTC will enter into bipartite agreements with selected Facility Management Service (FMS) agencies for the operation and maintenance of bus stands developed under the initiative.
As per the government plan, bus stands will be categorised into A, B and C classes depending on passenger traffic and transport demand. Revenue generated from bus stand operations and associated commercial activities will be retained by OSRTC and utilised for infrastructure development and operational management.
The state government has proposed an outlay of around ₹3,400 crore for the scheme, which will continue till the 2031-32 financial year. Modern bus terminals will be developed or reconstructed at district headquarters, sub-divisional headquarters, block headquarters, urban local bodies, tourist destinations and other key locations across the state.
Following Cabinet approval during its 38th meeting held on April 10, 2026, Transport Secretary NBS Rajput has requested the Housing and Urban Development Department to issue necessary directions to ULBs for handing over all bus stands under their jurisdiction to the Commerce and Transport Department.
The government stated that all existing bus stands developed under earlier schemes and those currently managed by ULBs would now be integrated under the single “Atal Bus Stand” framework to ensure uniform standards in development and management. A detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for implementation and transfer of assets is expected to be issued separately by the department.
-OdishaAge
