Putting behind controversies which jeopardised the previous Congress-led governments plan for a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) bus stand at McLeodganj,the Himachal cabinet today approved seven projects to build bus stands of international standards under Public-Private Participation (PPP) mode. Chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal presided over the meeting. The new projects approved in today's meeting include bus stands at Hamirpur,Chintpurni,Una,Baddi,Parwanoo,Manali and Dhalli in Shimla. The government proposes to invite international bidding on Annual Concession Fee (ACF) and the promoters will be given option to operate commercial ventures after getting designs approved. This is the first time when Himachal has decided to clear seven bus stands under the PPP mode to upgrade the facilities at important towns. The new bus stands a Design-Build-Operate and Transfer (DBOT) project will be built on the lines of Shimla's new Inter-state Bus Terminus (ISBT),which is ready for launch next month. The new ISBT offers luxuries,entertainment and big-brand shopping opportunities,beside multi-cuisine eating facilities and a double screen PVR multiplex to tourists and passengers. Delayed by almost two years,the Shimla ISBT at Tutikand bypass was successfully tested in trial runs and the State Bus Stand Development Corporation has approached the government for a mega launch event,maybe next month . Spread over an area of 14,000 square metres,the new ISBt at Shimla is currently the biggest BOT project taken up by the state government. The work started in 2004 and the company claims to have taken full care of all facilities matching world standards. The ISBT will be equipped with CCTVs,ATMs,a hotel,a public announcement system,waiting rooms and dedicated doors for separate routes. Passengers will be asked to proceed through dedicated automatic gates.
