AC buses, Bus insurance, urban development plan for Punjab

Hoshiarpur, Oct 5 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today unveiled a massive plan of Rs 5500 crore to provide basic civic amenities of water supply, sewerage, street lighting and storm water in all the towns and cities of the state.

Addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of ultra modern Bus Stand here, Mr. Badal said that the SAD-BJP government was committed to provide excellent infrastructure in the state.

Speaking on the occasion, State Transport Minister Master Mohan Lal said that with the completion of the ultra-modern air conditioned bus stand at a cost of Rs 7 crore over an area so 4.5 acres of land, the long pending demand of the local residents had been fulfilled.

He said that the construction work of Rajpura, Bathinda, Rampura Phul and Anandpur Sahib bus stands was under execution.

He said that the state government would launch the air-conditioned bus service from November 1 to enable even the common man to travel in AC buses at a nominal fare which was only 10 per cent more than the ordinary bus fare.

He said that 50 such buses each from Punjab Roadways and PRTC would be pressed into service from November 1.

He also announced that 350 and 159 new ordinary buses would be added to the existing fleet of Punjab Roadways and PRTC respectively.

He also stated that the Pepsu Roadways had made a net profit of 9.82 crore during current year after wiping out its earlier losses of Rs.3 crore, likewise Punjab Roadways had also brought down its net loss to Rs.58 crore from Rs.162.

He also announced that for the first time in the history of Transport department, the scheme of insurance of passengers would be launched from November 1, under which the next of the kin of the passenger killed in bus accidents would be entitled for a claim of Rs 2 lakh.

Earlier, Mr. Badal laid the foundation stone of community centre in Gutam Nagar and announced a grant of Rs.10 lakh for the Rs 1 crore project from his discretionary quota.

Conceding the demand of the local Bar Association, he also announced a grant of Rs.5 lakh for the purchase of books for the bar library.

UNI XC JN BK1812