At new Mohali ISBT, buses enter, exit without stopping

Akash Ghai
Tribune News Service
Mohali, July 25

Once being dubbed as former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal’s dream project, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur ISBT at Phase 6 is virtually in a shambles now.

The first air-conditioned bus stand in the region, constructed at a cost of around Rs 200 crore, is now without electricity connection. The connection was snapped over non-payment of bills to the tune of Rs 8.40 lakh around a year ago. The dues have not been cleared till date.

The Delhi-based C&C Company has been looking after the affairs of the ISBT. The office of the company on the bus stand premises is locked.

A security guard at the site claimed that the office was locked for the past several weeks. “No official of the company is present here,” he said.

Ranbir Singh Rana, an official of Fidere Facilities Management, claimed that they were managing the affairs of the ISBT for the past some months. “We are looking after the things here. We have also set up an office on the first floor on the premises,” said Rana, adding that they were using a generator to get electricity for office works.

He claimed that nearly 550 buses enter the bus stand daily these days. When asked about the daily footfall of passengers, Rana added that it was just negligible.

During the visit, Chandigarh Tribune did not spot any passenger on the ISBT premises. Several windowpanes of the façade of the building were broken. There was no official at the ticket counters.

“Buses enter from one gate and exit from the other without even stopping for a second to pick up passengers from the bus stand,” said the security guard.

He added that in the absence of electricity, the bus stand virtually plunged into darkness after dusk. “Owing to a poor response, no businessman is showing any interest in opening an establishment at the new bus stand. Earlier, a tea stall was there but the vendor left the place some time ago”, he added.

The Badal government had promised arrival of nearly 1,950 buses at the new ISBT.

Despite repeated attempts, no official of C&C Company could be contacted for their version on the issue.

Remains dark after dusk

• The first AC bus stand in the region is without electricity connection. 
• The connection was snapped over non-payment of Rs 8.40 lakh bills. 
• The electricity dues have not been cleared till date. 
• In the absence of power, the bus stand plunges into darkness after dusk.