Sukhbir’s pet project, Harike’s much-touted amphibious bus replaced

Around 12 hours after another amphibious bus arrived at the Harike lake, the first one that was flagged off by Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was sent back to Goa, from where it was brought.

Around 12 hours after another amphibious bus arrived at the Harike lake, the first one that was flagged off by Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was sent back to Goa, from where it was brought.

Sukhbir had inaugurated the project of Rs 10 crore amid much fanfare on December 12 last year. (HT File Photo)

The second bus was brought on a tipper-truck on the Monday night, while the same tipper reportedly left for Goa with the original bus on the night of Tuesday.

It may be recalled that Sukhbir had inaugurated the project of Rs 10 crore amid much fanfare on December 12 last year, stating that he had accomplished what he had promised.

However, since then, the department of tourism failed to operate the bus in the lake, at the confluence of Sutlej and Beas rivers, even though it gave the contract to a private firm.

The secrecy raised questions. While officials refused to speak about it, sources said the driver of the tipper was asked to keep the bus out of Punjab before dusk, so that nobody could have a clue about the replacement.

Efforts were made to contact Navjotpal Singh Randhawa, director of tourism, but he did not respond.