Haryana Transport Minister Anil Vij said that new modern bus terminals at Pipli, Sonipat and Gurugram will be developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. He informed that the Gurugram bus terminal will be constructed near the metro station so that passengers coming out of the metro station can immediately access electric air-conditioned bus services nearby. He added that this bus terminal would also be developed on the lines of the PPP model.
He further stated that work is also progressing on several other incomplete bus terminals, which will be completed at the earliest and dedicated to the public. Vij also said that Ambala Cantonment has become the first city in Haryana where all 25 local service buses are eco-friendly electric and air-conditioned buses. He said these buses have made local commuting significantly easier for the residents of Ambala.
Transport Minister Anil Vij was addressing a large gathering this evening near the PWD Rest House in Ambala Cantonment before flagging off 10 new electric air-conditioned buses added to the local bus service fleet.
On the occasion, Vij congratulated the public on receiving this new transport facility. He said that local bus services had remained suspended in the city for nearly 20 years. After taking charge of the department, he restarted the local bus service from November 1, 2024. Continuing this initiative, 10 more new electric AC buses have now been introduced. With this addition, the total number of electric air-conditioned buses in Ambala has reached 25, providing major relief to commuters, especially during the summer season.
*Rs 4 crore revenue generated and 22 lakh passengers benefited since restarting local bus service – Vij*
Vij said that since the resumption of the local bus service on November 1, 2024, the service has generated revenue of Rs 4 crore and approximately 22 lakh passengers have benefited from it. He said Ambala Cantonment has now become a city where all local buses are electric and air-conditioned. These services are currently operating on 17 routes.
*Transport Minister Anil Vij travels by bus after purchasing ticket*
After flagging off the new buses, Vij boarded one of the buses after purchasing a ticket and travelled along with party workers to personally experience the service. Party workers and members of the public expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Transport Minister for this initiative.
*Bus tracking facility to be introduced soon – Anil Vij*
Vij also said that the Transport Department is working on a bus tracking system. Just as passengers at airports can know the exact arrival time of flights, a similar system will allow passengers to track buses in real time and know their expected arrival. A dedicated mobile application has also been developed for this purpose. Through the app, passengers will be able to check the location and timing of buses directly from their mobile phones.
He added that the system will also monitor whether bus drivers are deviating from assigned routes. If any driver attempts to take a bus away from its designated route, the warning system will immediately detect it and a clarification will be sought from the driver through the system itself. Similarly, if a bus bypasses the bus stand or takes a flyover route improperly, the system will identify the activity. Vij said he believes this could become the first such model in India.
*Work underway to provide nutritious food at bus stands – Vij*
The Transport Minister further said that work is also being planned to provide nutritious food facilities for passengers at bus stands. Similar to the way IRCTC operates across India for railway services, a corporation will be established under the Transport Department to manage quality food facilities at bus terminals.
He also stated that efforts are being made to ensure all bus stands in Haryana become encroachment-free. Instructions have already been issued to all General Managers to ensure there is no encroachment at any bus stand. Efforts are also underway to improve cleanliness at bus terminals, including the use of vacuum cleaning machines and maintenance of hygienic toilets.
*ShramMitra App will help people hire workers, plumbers and technicians from home – Vij*
Vij also informed that the Labour Department has developed the “Shram Mitra App,” through which people can hire labourers and skilled workers as per their requirement. Workers from various trades — including masons, labourers, plumbers, AC repair technicians, and sewerage workers — can register themselves on the app. He said this initiative would greatly benefit both the public and workers by making daily employment opportunities more accessible.
On the occasion, SDM Kanika Goyal, Additional CEO of Haryana City Bus Service Limited Ashok Bansal, GM Roadways Ashwani Dogra, RTA Sushil Kumar, Municipal Council Chairperson Swarn Kaur, Vice Chairperson Lalta Prasad, BJP leaders Ravi Buddhiraja, Harsh Bindra, Parvesh Sharma, Vikas Behl, Sanjeev Soni, Ravi Sehgal, Puneet Sarpal, Deepak Bhasin, Balit Nagpal, Shaili Khanna, Sanjeev Atri, Madan Lal Sharma, Bijendra Chauhan, Kiran Pal Chauhan, Rajiv Dimple, Aarti Sehgal and several other dignitaries were also present.
