Riddled with corruption: Dismal conditions at Bahawalpur bus terminal

Rest rooms are being run on contract while encroachments restrict free movement of vehicles

BAHAWALPUR: Leaking roofs, rusted pillars, destination boards smeared by dust and grease, broken slabs, encroachments by private transporters, and vendors and lack of basic public facilities depict the pitiable plight of the commuters at the Bahawalpur bus terminal.

Passenger amenities in the bus terminal have taken a backseat with commuters having to brave the heat and bus bays littered with polythene wrappers. The overpowering stench is another unpalatable feature.

The bus terminal in the city is in poor shape despite investing millions of rupees for its infrastructure development. The terminal was constructed in 2009 during the tenure of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam’s former tehsil Nazim Malik Zahid Mehmood Channar.



The terminus neither has a shelter for commuters, nor has adequate space for all the buses to be parked. Unauthorised petty shops, illegal construction and vendors restrict free movement of vehicles. Those involved in setting up encroachments have rented out the government property and receive huge amount.

The irony is that the bus stand’s rest rooms are being run on contract and the contractors are involved in overcharging the public. The bus stand lacks facility of clean drinking water and shades to park the buses.

The building in which the offices of private transporters functions at the bus station is also in a dilapidated condition. Even the people working there face hardships due to the current situation.

Inordinate parking in front of the bus stand by private buses is also a major problem being faced by the commuters. The private buses do not move out from the bus bays till they are fully occupied. Consequently, it becomes difficult to park buses at the terminal.



This results in traffic snarls on the thoroughfare while accidents are a regular feature on the stretch owing to the confusion that prevails. The lack of adequate lighting and free movement of anti-social elements once the dusk sets in are the major problems commuters have to contend with during the night.

In connivance with the district administration and municipal corporation officials, transporters have established illegal businesses, including rent a car. They receive huge payments in the name of bus stand tax while influential political and social personalities also claim their share.

Meanwhile, social and public communities have demanded the Deputy Commissioner Rana Muhammad Afzal, City Mayor Aqeel Najam Hashmi, Deputy Mayor Malik Munir Iqbal Channar and others to take notice of the situation and provide relief to the public. They have urged the authorities to take immediate measures to eliminate encroachments and take stern action against those involved in it.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9^th, 2017.