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Tribune News Service
Mohali, April 16
Two days after GMADA demolished the illegally run old bus stand in Phase VIII here, digging the approach road and parking bays, private and PRTC buses continued to ply from outside the old bus stand on Monday.
Private bus operators were found misleading commuters, asking them that the bus stand had been shut down ‘temporarily for renovation and repairs’.
At least 8-10 buses were ferrying passengers to Jalandhar, Ropar, Nawanshahr, Amritsar and Patiala.
A private bus operator said bus services would continue since the bus stand was located at the centre of the city with many government offices, PUDA, PSEB and even private hospitals.
“Residents living in Phase VII, VIII, IX, X, Sectors 76-80, Sohana, Mataur, Kumbhra and southern sectors have to face a lot of inconvenience. The new bus stand is isolated and passengers have to spend at least Rs 50 to travel to Phase VI to purchase a bus ticket. It is not rational,” said a bus conductor.
Meanwhile, the new ISBT in Phase VI was deserted with at least 75-100 passengers left stranded in the morning, complaining that all buses to Patiala side were bypassing the new bus stand.
“All buses to various parts of Punjab, including Patiala, Sirhind, Sangrur, Nabha, Ludhiana, Moga, Ferozepore, used to pass through the old bus stand. The authorities should have started a local bus service before demolishing the stand,” said Amarjeet Singh, an office-goer.
Another passenger said it would take some time before bus services normalise at the new stand.
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