BMC pushes for bus shelter in airport

Bhubaneswar: The Biju Patnaik International Airport is all set to get a bus shelter.
The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has requested the director of the airport to allot space for the same. The area comes under the purview of the airport administration.
The BMC has identified 30 square metre space in front of the canteen for the purpose.
The Bhubaneswar-Puri Transport Services Limited (BPTSL), which is running the city buses, will pay the rent for the space annually, according to a June 24 letter to the airport director R Mahalingam from the BMC.
BMC sources said the bus shelter is being developed considering the demand of people.
"Currently, city buses can't enter the airport as there is no shelter. We have proposed that it be constructed in front of the canteen, near the international terminal. At present, city buses can only go up to the old airport road," said BMC mayor Anant Narayan Jena.
Sources said the city buses will meet the passengers' demand as many who land in Bhubaneswar wait for taxis or autos, which are not always available, leading to long waits.
"Since we have low-floor, luxurious and air-conditioned city buses, having two or three buses for the airport will help many people. Passengers who take the airport route, will also be benefitted," said the mayor.
Airport officials are yet to respond to their request, a BMC officer said.