Siliguri, 18th August: A new bus stand is being constructed at Tinbatti More in Siliguri under the initiative of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) on NBSTC land. However, a dilemma prevails over the functioning of private buses from the said bus stand.
The intention was for private local buses, particularly those currently operating from the Court More bus stand, to transition to the new Teenbatti terminal. Additionally, a portion of NBSTC buses were expected to operate from the new terminal. However, this proposal has met resistance from the bus owners, who are expressing reservations about relocating their services to Teenbatti.
Bus routes for destinations such as Shiv Mandir, Bagdogra, Bidhannagar, Naxalbari, Kharibari, and Panitanki are currently facilitated from the Court More bus stand. Bus owners contend that if operations are shifted to the Teenbatti More terminal, it could deter passengers from using their services, ultimately leading to a decline in the number of commuters.
Pranab, Secretary of the North Bengal Passenger Transport Coordination Committee, highlighted the significance of the Court More bus stand, which currently serves around 70-80 buses. He pointed out that no new buses have been introduced since 2004, and the reliance on totos and autos has led to traffic congestion. The potential shift to the Tinbatti More terminal could force commuters to opt for these alternative modes of transportation, further compounding congestion issues. He stated that they will resort to legal actions if necessary.