Rupani virtually inaugurates a newly-constructed bus station in Waghodia

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani virtually inaugurated a newly-constructed bus station by Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation at a cost of Rs. 2.26 crores at Waghodia in Vadodara.

The bus station was constructed in 13,365 square meters. The bus station has a waiting hall with seating arrangements for passengers along with a platform, administrative office, control room, canteen room, parcel room, pass office, cash booking office, stalls, driver conductor restroom, female conductor restroom, and toilet facilities for passengers. In addition, special types of toilets and sloping ramps have been set up for the differently-abled.

It is estimated that approximately 1000 passengers would benefit from this bus station every day. S.T. Divisional Director of Vadodara S.P. Matroja said, “Waghodia Depot handles 295 trips on 33 schedules including local and express. About a thousand passengers travel from here.”

Minister of State Yogesh Patel said, “99% of rural areas in Gujarat are connected to the ST service. With 16 divisions, 125 bus depots, 135 bus stands, and 1554 pick-up stands, 8500 buses run 35 lakh kilometers and ferry 25 lakh people.” Gujarat ST services have also been made available in neighboring states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Diu-Daman.

ST has come up as a viable alternative mode of transportation for the disabled, the elderly, and the common man. The State Transport also provides buses at concessional rates on the occasion of weddings so that financially struggling families can avail these services as well.

Patel said that the benefit of ST service was being extended to the villages. Airport-like bus ports have been constructed at seven places in the state. MLA Madhubhai Srivastava, District Panchayat President Ashok Patel, Ashwin Patel, Collector Shalini Agarwal, District Development Officer Kiran Zaveri, office bearers, and officials were present at Waghodia during the inauguration.