Punjab Roadways has assumed the charge of Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar Bus Terminal for a period of three years after a private bus company Welspun Private Limited ended its 10-year contract this month.
Sharing the information with HT, Rashpal Singh Makhu, general manager, Punjab Roadways, Ludhiana said, “Punjab Roadways has taken the charge of the city bus stand for now and out of four areas, parking lot, shopping vends, bus stand fee and advertisement, three would be under direct control of the roadways. As of now the fate of shopping vends hanging in balance as to who would assume the charge after the private company which previously held the charge could not vacate the vends within a stipulated time after the shopping vend owners sought lower court’s intervention on the same.
Sources in the state transport department revealed that the private company who was initially handed over the charge of the city bus stand after it (transport department) floated tenders two months ago, backed out after Welspun Private Limited allegedly could not vacate the shopping vends in time. The matter is now sub judice at the lower court.
A Punjab Roadways employee who did not wish to be named said that the authorities did not manage the matter properly and shopkeepers were also complaining that their rental have increased to the tune of 50% which ultimately took a toll on the passengers’ pocket. Authorities must on priority provide amenities and convenience to the thousands of passengers who visit city bus stand and shall not be seen merely as a revenue generating unit.
{{/usCountry}}A Punjab Roadways employee who did not wish to be named said that the authorities did not manage the matter properly and shopkeepers were also complaining that their rental have increased to the tune of 50% which ultimately took a toll on the passengers’ pocket. Authorities must on priority provide amenities and convenience to the thousands of passengers who visit city bus stand and shall not be seen merely as a revenue generating unit.
{{/usCountry}}Director state transport, Ashwini Sharma said that as of now the charge of the Ludhiana bus stand was with the Punjab Roadways but the matter is sub judice at the lower court. After the court pronounce its judgment, only then it could be established, who would take the charge permanently.
After all the glitches, transport department may hand over the charge to the private bus