Officials look the other way as Sahnewal awaits proper bus stop
Astonishingly, Sahnewal does not have a proper bus stop. The one built by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) six years ago is now nothing more than a makeshift shelter. This, thanks to the callous attitude of the municipal council that did not bother to maintain it, much to the inconvenience of passengers, who face a tough time amid its absence.
Buses practically have no designated spot to stop and pick up passengers in the town. Resultantly, these either halt abruptly and in the middle of roads, leading to traffic congestion.
While a bus stop was erected on the service lane by the NHAI a few years ago, drug addicts stole the pillars one by one till the stop was reduced to just a lone bench and a makeshift stop.
“Residents face grave problems due to the absence of a proper bus stop. The problem has been brought to the notice of the authorities concerned many times, but to no avail. It is very difficult to stand and wait for buses without any proper place allocated for it. The passengers standing on one side of the road, waiting for buses, are in no way safe,” said Harbans Singh, a resident.
“Since bus drivers stop their vehicle at their own will, passengers literally have to stand in the middle of the national highway to be as close to the boarding place as possible. Else, they risk missing the bus or have to run behind it to board which involves an even higher risk,” rued Anmolbir Singh Dhillon, another resident.
“There have been a number of cases where passengers, in an attempt to board a bus, standing at a distance, have fallen down and received minor to major injuries. For elderly people boarding a bus in such a manner is no less than a herculean task,” complained Harkirat Singh, another resident.
“I had one of the worst experiences of my life trying to catch a bus in the town. From that day on, I have never tried to travel in a bus. I had to go to Khanna and was awaiting a bus. I had to skip at least six to seven buses as each time I prepared to board, the vehicles either did not halt completely or picked up pace before I could get a chance to board. I lost control and fell down while trying to board the bus and sustained injuries in the process,” shared a senior citizen of the town.
“The problem is in no way small. On rainy days, the passengers have no place to stand in. The tough time faced by residents does not seem concern anybody. Also, there is no provision of urinals or drinking water for passengers at the stop,” shared still another resident.
Cabinet Minister and local MLA Hardeep Singh Mundian said the issue was in his notice and he would talk to the Deputy Commissioner to try and get the issue resolved for the convenience of passengers.
Ludhiana