After sending a proposal for 50 electric buses, Haryana Roadways, Panchkula, is now planning to develop a separate bus stand for e-buses. The agency is also planning to set-up charging stations at the site.
While sharing information, Haryana Roadways general manager Ashok Kaushik informed that they have identified 3.5-acres of land for the new bus stand at the back of the present Sector-5 bus station. The Panchkula transport department has tied up with a private firm to develop the bus stand.
The private firm has asked for two months’ time to develop the stand in a plot of land provided to them. As per sources, the site will have four charging stations, apart from designated parking slots. After the arrival of the buses and based on the requirement, the department will take a call to develop more charging stations.
The department is also shifting the parking lot, constructed on the backside of the present bus stand, to the front side of the new bus stand for electric vehicles. The land lying next to the tubewell on the left of the entry of the bus stand will be developed as the parking lot for two wheelers and four wheelers.
GM Kaushik informed that their plan is to start electric buses by the first month of 2024. “All these buses will be run on local route, covering almost all the Sectors of the city. Along with this, the buses will also run on Chandigarh and Zirakpur route. The timings and routes of the buses will be decided once the buses come to the city bus stand,” he said.
“The trans-Ghaggar Sectors of the city are badly connected with the public transport system and are completely dependent on their own vehicles or special cabs/taxis. On the other hand, the Panchkula transport department has very old and dilapidated diesel buses and most of them need replacement,” said a source.
S K Nayar, President of Citizen Welfare Association, said, “Ring bus service which connects all sectors and markets is one of the oldest and genuine demands we residents are raising with the local as well as state government. It will benefit a large number of Panchkula residents if it starts early.”
Roads will be repaired before Dec 15: Mayor
The Panchkula MC has given tenders worth INR 15 crore for recarpeting of roads across sectors. The work has been started in various areas, and a deadline has been set that all work must be completed before December 15. While sharing the information, mayor Kulbhushan Goyal informed that he took a review meeting of allotted tenders where superintendent engineer (SE) Vijay Goyal and XENs Pramod Kumar and Ajay Panghal were present.
During the meeting, the officers informed the mayor that three firms, Bansal Construction Company, Bindra Construction Company and NH Construction Company, have assured to finish the work on time.
