Lack of amenities at city bus stand irk passengers

With the mercury rising sharply, visitors to the city’s interstate bus terminal can be seen sweating heavily for want of basic amenities like cold drinking water and fans. The scorching heat has only added to the misery of passengers, who are forced to wait in discomfort.

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“The drinking water taps here dish out hot water as most of the coolers are defunct. We have to buy packaged drinking water from shops, which is expensive,” said Rohan, a passenger travelling to Delhi. He said the lack of fans in the waiting area makes it more difficult for passengers to stay there.

Echoing similar views, Jaswinder Singh, another passenger, said, “The condition of the bus stand is pathetic. The entrance is waterlogged and the parking area has been left dug up. It is a mess. We expect better facilities, especially when we are paying for our tickets.”

The absence of basic amenities has turned the bus terminal into a testing ground for passengers’ patience. With temperatures soaring, there is an urgent need for fans and water coolers to be in working condition. Passengers are left to fend for themselves, seeking shade and shelter from the blistering sun.

The waterlogging at the entrance of the bus stand is not just an eyesore but also a safety concern. Passengers have to navigate through the puddles, risking their safety. The dug-up parking area adds to their woes.

Authorities concerned must revamp infrastructure at the interstate bus terminal at the earliest. Passengers hope that their plight would not go unnoticed and that the authorities would take swift action to address these issues.

Asked about the situation, passengers demanded immediate attention from the authorities. “It’s not too much to ask for basic amenities like cold water and fans. We hope the authorities would take notice and improve the facilities,” said Ranjit Kaur.

The interstate bus terminal is a gateway to the city, and its condition reflects poorly on the city’s infrastructure. It is used by thousands of people daily to travel to and from different places of Punjab and many other states.