With the temperature soaring, passengers at the Shaheed Sukhdev Singh Thapar Inter-state Bus Terminus are at receiving end, as there is no proper arrangement of cold drinking water here.
In this sweltering weather, with no water cooler available at the bus stand, passengers are forced to buy packaged water bottles, which are not affordable for everyone.
Frequent visitors to the bus stand complained that out of five water coolers installed there, one is completely damaged , while other four are operational, but don’t have cool water.
An official from the transport department, requesting anonymity, said, “As the weather is too hot, it is essential for people going out to stay hydrated. Body should get water at regular intervals, but it is not within the reach of every visitor at the bus stand to purchase a water bottle every time they are thirsty. It is sad that around 30 water taps installed at different parts of the bus stand premises provide hot water. Chilled water is supplied from only two water coolers and that only for some hours a day.”
Amandeep Kaur, one of the passengers, who was travelling to Fazilka, said, “Chilled water to drink in summer is a basic need, but I am surprised to see that here at the bus stand there are no measures to ensure supply of cold water. So, the passengers are forced to buy water bottles.”
{{/usCountry}}Amandeep Kaur, one of the passengers, who was travelling to Fazilka, said, “Chilled water to drink in summer is a basic need, but I am surprised to see that here at the bus stand there are no measures to ensure supply of cold water. So, the passengers are forced to buy water bottles.”
{{/usCountry}}When contacted, Surinder Singh Pannu, manager operations and maintenance, Welspun Projects Limited, said, “There are five water coolers installed at the bus stand. Since, usage of water is on rise, water coolers take time to cool the water. The water in other taps comes from water tanks, so, we cannot possibly provide chilled water in taps installed.”