Stone of Kharar bus stand laid, again

Tribune News Service

Mohali, December 2

Fifteen years after the Congress government first laid the foundation stone of the Kharar bus stand, a new foundation stone was laid today with Chief Minister Charanjit Channi at the helm.

The work of the terminus still might not get complete by the end of this term of the Congress government, admitted Transport Minister Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. He, however, gave an assurance that the tender process would be completed soon and the construction work would begin by the month-end.

Warring said the new facility, built at a cost of Rs6.57 crore, would be spread over 16 kanals with a space for 20 buses at a time. Transit space has been earmarked for five buses.

A cafeteria, shops, clean drinking water, toilet facilities, separate men and women restrooms, and cabins have also been planned.

Informing about the new initiatives, he said close to Rs400 crore would be spent on the upgrade of various bus stands in the state.

Referring to the cancellation of bus permits and tax evading operators, Warring claimed that the income of the PRTC and the Punjab Roadways had increased by Rs1.15 crore per day after the stern action.

Capt Amarinder laid the stone in 2006

The foundation stone laying exercise has something to do with the elections. Former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had first laid the foundation stone of this bus stand on September 7, 2006, six months before the 2007 Assembly elections. It was mooted as a joint venture of the Transport Department, Municipal Council and the Rural Department to be built over 19 kanals. A sum of Rs5 crore was sanctioned for the construction of the multi-storeyed bus stand. Six months later, the SAD wrested power from the ruling Congress.