Rajpura’s new bus stand lies abandoned

Tribune News Service

Rajpura, July 21

The new Rajpura bus stand at the National Highway No. 1 (NH-1), has been lying abandoned for a decade now. The bus stand has been in a pathetic condition for long with some broken trucks parked on its premises. 

Neglected for years’ altogether, like an orphaned child, the bus stand is a stark example how the public money from the exchequer is grossly wasted. 

Inaugurated in 2006, with great pomp and splendour by former External Affairs Minister Preneet Kaur, the bus stand is in utter deplorable condition. 

A visit to the bus stand revealed that it has become a safe dump for parking of old and broken vehicles. Even, mechanics were seen using the place for repairing vehicles. Wild grass has also grown around the bus stand compound.

In fact, Rajura is an important bus terminal as it is a junction of many important routes. Buses en route to Patiala, Mansa, Bathinda from Chandigarh, and Amritsar to Delhi, cross Rajpura. 

“The poor state of the new bus stand is due to the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities concerned,” said residents of the town.

 Considering the heavy flow of buses through Rajpura, the new bus stand was constructed on the NH-1because old one was at the centre of the city. However, some private buses, and a few small-route PRTC buses still pick up commuters from the old bus stand.

Besides, all buses, including that of the PRTC, do not enter the new bus stand. In fact, all buses stop at Gagan Chowk to pick and drop passengers, but not at the new bus stand. 

Indeed, the government ought to issue strict instructions to all buses, passing through Rajpura, to halt at the new bus stand.

Talking about the issue, PRTC chairman KK Sharma said, “The bus stand does not come under the PRTC. But, we have told our bus drivers to pick up passengers from the bus stand.”