GMADA officials fail to shut Phase 8 bus stand

Tribune News Service

Mohali, December 9

Officials of the enforcement division of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) failed in their bid to shut down the old bus stand in Phase 8 here on Friday night.

The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority staff, accompanied by a JCB, had to return as they faced resistance from private bus operators and transporters.

A private bus operator said, “Greater Mohali Area Development Authority officials started digging up the road outside the stand, but we protested against their drive, following which they had to leave.”

Bus operators said shutting down the old bus stop would inconvenience the public.

“This bus stand is centrally located and all major hospitals, offices and markets are in the vicinity. The new bus stand in Phase 6 is isolated,” said a bus operator.

Area Councillor Satvir Singh Dhanoa said a meeting was conducted with some transporters this morning. “We will meet Greater Mohali Area Development Authority officials and request for transfer of this land to the Municipal Corporation (MC), so that local buses can operate,” he said, adding that it was possible to have 2 bus stands.

A Greater Mohali Area Development Authority official said, “As far as we are concerned, the old bus stand is shut. No government buses are plying from there. Some private bus operators are running it illegally. But it is the institutional land under the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority which is supposed to be auctioned,” adding that further steps would be taken to vacate the bus stand.