Deterioration, administrative failures plague Phagwara’s bus stand

The Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) bus stand in Phagwara continues to reflect deep-rooted issues of neglect, poor planning and administrative inaction, despite repeated assurances by government officials over the years.

With nearly 1,500 buses passing through Phagwara daily, it is alarming that only about 600 of these actually enter the bus stand, depriving the state transport system of potential revenue and leaving commuters exposed to unsafe and disorganized conditions.

PRTC earns approximately Rs 35,000 daily from operations at the bus stand. However, due to reluctance among many bus drivers—both private and government-operated—to bring their vehicles inside, this revenue remains far below potential. Many drivers prefer to halt along the highway adjacent to the bus stand to avoid paying entry fees, creating daily traffic snarls and posing serious risks to pedestrian safety.

Security remains another major concern. With no full-time security guard posted at the bus stand, passengers—especially women, children and the elderly—feel increasingly vulnerable. Illegal encroachments in and around the bus stand add to the chaos, further shrinking available space and making the area congested and unhygienic.

Despite a high-profile announcement in 2008 by then Punjab Transport Minister Master Mohan Lal—who, in the presence of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, promised direct bus services from Phagwara to the religious shrine of Chintpurni—none of the proposed routes have materialized. A short-lived direct service to Chintpurni was introduced but discontinued after about a year. A subsequent effort to run a bus from Nakodar to Chintpurni via Phagwara was also short-lived, as it was caught without a valid permit by Himachal authorities and forced to cease operations.

The Punjab Transport Department has cited the lack of necessary approvals from the Himachal Pradesh Transport Department as a major roadblock, leaving pilgrims with no choice but to rely on buses from Ludhiana or occasional private services organised by religious and social organisations.

In an attempt to control the worsening traffic situation, SDM Phagwara issued prohibitory orders banning buses from stopping outside the stand. Yet, enforcement remains inconsistent. However, a recent breakthrough came under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Toora IPS and Traffic Inspector Aman Kumar Daveshwar. The long-standing issue of buses refusing to enter the bus stand was partially resolved, as traffic police succeeded in directing most government and private buses inside the premises, significantly easing congestion on roads leading to Jalandhar, Amritsar, Jammu, Hoshiarpur, Ferozepur and Nakodar.

Inspector Aman Kumar has assured further action, stating that steps are underway, in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), to bring Ludhiana-bound buses into the fold. He expressed hope that such measures will not only improve traffic flow but also increase the bus stand’s earnings and enhance commuter convenience.

Meanwhile, PRTC Inspector Rakesh Kumar told The Tribune that a public address system has been introduced and a complaint box set up within the bus stand to address passenger grievances. Yet, these remain mere assurances for now, with little evidence of actual progress on the ground.

The PRTC bus stand at Phagwara stands today as a symbol of lost opportunities and broken commitments. Despite being a key transit point in the Doaba region, its condition continues to deteriorate amid the absence of strategic planning, proper infrastructure, and effective administrative coordination.

With growing passenger numbers and rising public dissatisfaction, authorities face mounting pressure to transform the bus stand into a functional, safe and dignified transport hub that matches the aspirations of its citizens.

Jalandhar