Pirwadhai bus stand revamped

Official says bus terminal offers state-of-art facilities

RAWALPINDI:

The Pirwadhai General Bus Stand – one of the busiest bus terminals of the garrison city - has undergone a ‘remarkable transformation’ through an upgrade plan.

According to Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta, the bus terminal, built on 200 kanals of land 45 years ago, had fallen into disrepair due to the negligence of the authorities concerned.

He said the upgraded general bus stand provides travel facilities for all four provinces of Pakistan, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Following the revamp, the terminal offers air-conditioned waiting rooms, new washrooms, a mosque, CCTV cameras for enhanced security, alert security guards, a new fuel station, a restaurant, improved road infrastructure, street lights, and a new sewerage system.

The Rawalpindi commissioner briefed journalists on the completion of the upgradation plan. He highlighted that the bus stand had deteriorated significantly, with criminals and drug addicts occupying the premises. The poor condition of the bus stand led to the relocation of modern transport buses serving various routes across the country.

“To address this issue, a comprehensive upgrade plan was devised, resulting in the development of a state-of-the-art bus stand equipped with all necessary facilities.” The project involved round-the-clock efforts and the elimination of encroachments on government land, he said adding that the shops within the bus stand now adhere to a uniform design and display standardised introduction boards.

Commissioner Liaquat announced a crackdown on ‘mafia activities’ within the general bus stand. Those involved in issuing fictitious slips and extorting money will face up to 14 years of imprisonment. He further stated that public transport operating from other terminals, including the general bus stand, will be required to reduce fares by 20% in light of the decreased prices of petrol and diesel.

New fare structures will be implemented in consultation with the transporters.

To enhance convenience, booking counters have been established for each route within the general bus stand, and encroachments along the IJ Principal Road connecting to the bus stand have been cleared.

He further said previously, passengers faced difficulties at the bus stand. Support staff have also been appointed to assist elderly passengers, he added.

The commissioner emphasised that the upgraded bus stand now hosts reputable transport companies, providing passengers with a dignified travel experience. “Visitors will undoubtedly marvel at the impressive transformation achieved through this upgradation plan”.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2023.