The Baramunda Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) in Bhubaneswar will be named after Dr BR Ambedkar, the father of the Indian Constitution.

An announcement to this effect was made by Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday.

Paying rich tributes to Dr Ambedkar, Naveen said: “The newly refurbished Baramunda bus stand will be henceforth known as Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar bus terminal.”

Stating that Baba Ambedkar dedicated his life to the upliftment of Dalits, Naveen said a special gallery would come up in an area of 900 square feet inside the bus terminal depicting the journey of Dr Ambedkar.

“Dr Ambedkar’s biography and ideals will be showcased through the use of digital technology,” said a release issued by the chief minister’s office.

A copy of the Indian Constitution along with various articles used by Dr Ambedkar will be displayed here.

With this Naveen intends to send a message that his government would be run by the spirits of the constitution and it remains sacrosanct for its governance, political observers feel.

The newly constructed bus stand is likely to be inaugurated this month.

Spanning over 15.5 acres of land, the ISBT Baramunda project, spearheaded by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), aims to
offer a range of passenger amenities, office spaces, parking facilities, food courts, restaurants, and commercial areas.

The feel and experience will be that of an airport. The Baramunda ISBT is a significant project that will benefit the people of Odisha by providing a modern and efficient transportation hub.

The terminal is designed to cater to the needs of passengers and provide them with a comfortable and convenient experience.

The terminal will provide a world-class travel experience to passengers and is equipped with modern amenities such as state-of-the-art Aahaar Centre, restaurants, multistoried car parking, pick-up/drop-off facility, solar panel system, and sewage treatment plant.

It also has provisions for a police facilitation centre to ensure the safety of passengers, an administrative building for managing the terminal operations, toilet facilities
for passengers, ramp facilities for the convenience of passengers with disabilities,
and baby feeding rooms for mothers travelling with infants.

Besides, there will be a children’s play area, a primary health clinic, and additional parking for seasonal buses.