All you need to know about the new Patiala bus stand inaugurated by Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann
While the new bus stand has all modern facilities, the old one will be used for shuttle services, said Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
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The ground floor has 41 counters from where commuters can board the buses and the basement has a dedicated parking for two, three and four-wheelers. (Express photo) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann inaugurated the new ‘ultra-modern inter-state bus terminal’ in Patiala, the bastion of former CM Captain Amarinder Singh, Tuesday. Moments later, the inauguration sparked a war of words between Mann and Singh, with both claiming credit for the project.
Mann, while targeting Singh, said, “The royal scion of Patiala never visited his home town. After assuming charge as the CM, I have visited the royal city more than Amarinder did in his entire tenure. This was the change for which the people had elected this pro-people and development-oriented government (AAP).”
Hitting back, Singh asked Mann to “inaugurate at least one project which was conceptualised by him instead of claiming credit for what the previous government has already done”.
Amid the war of words, here’s all you need to know about the new bus stand:
— According to the officials of Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC), the newly-constructed bus stand on Rajpura road bypass is equipped with ultra-modern facilities, including lifts. Constructed at a cost of over Rs 60.97 crore and spread over 8.51 acre, the bus stand has 41 counters for public convenience. Several LED screens have been installed at the counter to display the time-table and bus arrival/departure schedule, said Charanjot Singh Walia, assistant managing director, PRTC.
— The construction work of the new bus terminal was started in January 2021 after its foundation stone was laid in October 2020 by Amarinder Singh when he was the CM. The project was to be completed within 15 months (by January 2022). However, it missed several deadlines and was finally completed in April this year.
— The ground floor has 41 counters from where commuters can board the buses. The basement has a dedicated parking for two, three and four-wheelers. On the ground floor, there are 18 shops, three showrooms, an enquiry office and a food court (which is yet to be operationalised). On the second floor, there is a facility of lockers, a dormitory and space for two commercial offices.
— For the convenience of disabled persons, each floor has ramps and lift facilities. Special tiles have been installed on the floor to guide visually impaired persons. Separate washrooms have been provided for persons with disabilities on each floor.
— RO drinking water facilities have been provided on each floor.
— CCTV cameras, body scanners, metal detectors and automatic boom barriers for the security of commuters have also been installed alongside computerised announcement systems and LED screens for convenience.
— To promote renewable energy, the new bus stand has been equipped with solar energy panels and high mast lighting systems. Mann has announced that the old bus stand of Patiala would be used as a city bus stand from where shuttle services with a fleet of electric buses would be introduced.
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