Sarkaghat gets connected: Bus service to Chandigarh launched

In a significant move aimed at improving connectivity for both the ex-servicemen community and the general public in the Sarkaghat region of Mandi district, the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) has officially commenced a bus service on the Chandigarh-Sarkaghat-Chandigarh route on September 1.

This long-awaited service comes as a major relief to hundreds of residents and veterans who frequently travel to Chandigarh for medical, administrative, educational and employment-related needs.

The initiative was spearheaded by the United Front of Ex-Servicemen (JCOs & OR), Himachal Pradesh Branch, Sarkaghat, under the leadership of Capt.Jagdish Verma (retd), chairman of the organisation. The United Front had previously submitted a formal request to CTU in 2024, highlighting the pressing need for reliable public transport linking Sarkaghat to the tricity (Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula).

Speaking on behalf of the organisation, Capt Verma expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Director of CTU and the concerned staff for positively responding to the request. “Many ex-servicemen and their families in this region travel frequently to Chandigarh for services at ECHS, PCDA and the Armed Forces Tribunal. Additionally, the general public requires access to institutions such as PGIMER, Panjab University, and other government offices,” he said.

The representation sent to CTU had been strongly supported by local leadership, including the pradhans of Gram Panchayats Narola, Kot, Baldwara, Bhambla and the Chairman of municipal council Sarkaghat, all of whom endorsed the proposal through official letters. Their collective efforts, along with the persistent follow-up by the ex-servicemen’s organisation, finally bore fruit.

Residents and veterans alike have welcomed the move, calling it a “timely and much-needed decision” that will help bridge the logistical gap between remote regions of Himachal and the urban centre of Chandigarh.

With the new CTU bus service now operational, it is expected that not only will travel become easier and more affordable, but it will also foster stronger ties between Chandigarh and the interiors of Himachal Pradesh, boosting economic and social development in the process.