Construction of state-of-the-art bus stand in Faridabad likely to be over by October

Bijendra Ahlawat

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Faridabad, July 27

Haryana’s first state-of-the-art bus stand complex is likely to be ready in the next three months.

According to the authorities of the Transport Department, construction is in its final phase. The bus stand is being built with modern infrastructure and facilities.

“Located in the NIT zone of the city, the bus stand is being built at a cost of Rs 150 crore. It will be the first-of-its-kind in the state. The bus stand is being built on public-private partnership (PPP),” said an official of the state Transport Department.

He added that the work was in full swing and the bus stand was expected to be inaugurated on November 1.

The five-storey bus stand is proposed to have a shopping mall, multiplex cinema, food court, waiting hall and restrooms among other facilities for passengers and staff.

“The facilities will be on a par with any international bus stand or railway station. After the inauguration, only 25 buses will operate initially, but the number of bus bays might be increased as per need in future,” sources in the Transport Department claimed.

Describing it a new milestone in the public transport sector, the state Transport Minister Mool Chand Sharma said: “Private sector has been roped in for the development of such infrastructure. This is likely to herald a new era in the development of basic infrastructure projects, which require proper and regular upkeep. While it is expected to be functional in November, the department proposes to develop the main (general) bus stand at Ballabgarh as well on the same pattern.”

The Transport Minister added that the PPP mode might be extended in other cities and districts depending upon the need in future.

Meanwhile, opposing the PPP mode, Sarva Karamchari Sangh, Haryana and the district unit of the Haryana Roadways Workers’ Union has charged that it was a move to privatise the state transport.

“Instead of improving the condition of the Roadways, the state government has surrendered to the private sector,” alleged a spokesperson of the sangh.

Pvt sector roped in for infrastructure

Private sector has been roped in for the development of such infrastructure. The department has proposed to develop the main (general) bus stand at Ballabgarh as well on the same pattern. — Mool Chand Sharma, Transport Minister, Haryana

Move to privatise public transport

It is a move to privatise state transport. Instead of improving the condition of the Roadways, the state govt has surrendered to the private sector. — Spokesperson, sarva karamchari sangh, Haryana

Facilities will be on par with i’ntl standards

The facilities will be on a par with any international bus stand or railway station. Only 25 buses will operate initially, but the number of bus bays might be increased as per need in future. — Sources, Transport Department