Punjab Roadways to start buses for rural areas’ connectivity with city: GM

After taking over the operational charges of the Jalandhar bus stand, the Punjab Roadways Depot No. 1 general manager (GM) has taken many steps to run it properly. Apart from this, the Punjab Roadways has been going through a very crucial phase as its union has put forward several demands to be fulfilled by the government. During his interview to The Tribune correspondent Gagandeep Singh, the Punjab Roadways Depot No. 1 GM, Harjinder Singh Minhas, spoke about various aspects and new plans of the working of the Punjab Roadways.

What challenges you have been facing after taking over the operational charges of the bus stand?

The biggest challenge we faced after taking over the bus stand was to get the occupation of shops inside the bus stand and initiating the auction procedures. The shops were under Welspun Company that has been operating the bus stand. The shopkeepers managed to get court stay orders on the shop and we had to face litigations. Some of the shopkeepers also filed a forged case of abduction against me and my staff during the course of taking over the shops. I am still facing the same case.

What was the role of the Punjab Roadways Employees Union after the abduction allegations were levelled against you?

The union played a very positive role in my favour as it also works for the betterment of the department as other employees and officials do. Our objective is the same — welfare of the department.

The bus stand has been facing a severe water-logging problem for long. Have made any effort to get rid of it?

We faced the water-logging problem at the beginning of the rainy season this year. But we have worked on the same. The problem has not been noticed after that. All sewer points have been made clear now. Even the road between the workshop and bus stand was worked out under my supervision.

Do you take any action against the hawkers of private buses, who sometime bother passengers?

I have already instructed the bus stand supervisor on such issues. Apart from this, the private bus operators have been asked to educate us about the staff being deployed in the bus stand for the safety reasons. I have not received any written complaint about any major incident of passengers being harassed.

It has been observed that some of the Punjab Roadways buses are running without the first-aid box and fire extinguishers.

We always make sure that the Punjab Roadways buses of the Jalandhar depot have all safety measures, including first-aid boxes and fire extinguishers. I can also say that the conductors in the Punjab Roadways buses are fully trained to provide first-aid to passengers. It is mandatory for the conductor to undergo a first-aid course to have licence to be a conductor.

Passengers always complain of bad communication skills of the Punjab Roadways employees. Is anything being done regarding this?

We have refresher courses for the drivers and conductors, particularly for those against whom we have complaints. The courses are being conducted in Mohali. We always teach them to show courtesy to the passengers. Moreover, we have displayed the numbers on the buses for complaint of any such incident.

Is there any plan to start the Punjab Roadways buses for the rural areas in Jalandhar?

As per the policy of the Punjab Government to connect the rural areas with the city, we are going to start new buses for the rural areas within two weeks. We have conducted a study for the same and demands have been taken from residents. I have three routes for my depot. Where there is no mini-bus connectivity, a Punjab Roadways bus would ply on the route. All the paperwork has been done.

The union always alleges that private bus operators are being favoured by the government to discourage the Punjab Roadways.

The job of deciding the time-ables of the buses is of the. We have nothing to with that. Meanwhile, officials cannot be present in the bus stand around the clock so the private bus operators take the benefit of the same to enhance their revenue.

Why is the fleet of the Punjab Roadways buses not being completed despite several protests being organised by the union?

It does not come under my jurisdiction as I don’t frame the policy of the government on buses. Therefore, I cannot comment on the same. My role is to implement the government’s policies.