Six months on, Fazilka bus stand yet not shifted

Praful Chander Nagpal

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Fazilka, July 3

The newly constructed bus stand (Shaheed Udham Singh Inter-State Bus Terminal) at Fazilka is proving to be a white elephant as it remains non-operational, despite being inaugurated more than six months ago.

The bus stand was constructed at a cost of Rs 5 crore on 3 acres of the municipal council land opposite the District Administrative Complex on the NH-7. Then Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi had inaugurated the new structure on December 7 last year with much fanfare ahead of the 2022 Assembly poll.

Surinder Sachdeva, chief, Fazilka Municipal Council, said, “We had asked the Transport Department to take possession of the complex and start operating from here a month ago.” “The MC is suffering financial losses as the department is not shifting to the new terminal,” said Mangat Kumar, Executive Officer, Fazilka Municipal Council.

Amit Arora, Officiating General Manager, Punjab Roadways (Ferozepur), rued that the roadways officials were never taken into the confidence before constructing the new terminal. He alleged that there was no provision for the workshop and petrol station, besides lack of space for offices at new bus stand.

“Moreover, the department has to shell out Rs 4 to Rs 5 lakh per month in the form of entry and exit fee. At present, the fee is exempted as the land of old bus sand is owned by the Transport Department,” said Arora.

Fazilka AAP MLA Narinderpal Singh Sawna said, “The inauguration took place in haste and basic requirements, including workshop, petrol station and offices are yet to be completed. Buses will soon ply from new bus terminal.”