Amritsar, July 17
Yatra Bus travellers seek air conditioning and up gradation of bus
AT a time when Punjab Roadways is busy updating its fleet of buses, there are still some that have been left untouched. While on one hand, the Roadways had started air-conditioned coaches in the state of Punjab to provide comfortable bus service to the public, on the other hand, the Yatra Bus still awaits up gradation.
Even after being in service for so many years, the bus that runs on this route is still an ordinary one. The government has not made any provision to upgrade the bus or make it an air-conditioned one for travelers.
Leaves much to be desired
The Punjab Government had started the Yatra bus service to aid .the tourists visiting the city. The bus route had been designed to take the tourists on a journey around the gurdwaras of the district.
Commencing from
Harmandar Sahib, the bus daily covers different gurdwaras, including Gurdwara Goindwal Sahib, Khadoor Sahib, Tarn Taran Sahib and Baba Budha Sahib. After these gurdwaras, the bus takes the tourists to the Wagah Border for watching the retreat ceremony.
Fbllowing failure of the department to provide a luxury .bus, the bus is failing to fulfill its pur pose of facilitating tourists. Keeping the adverse weather conditions of the city in mind, a luxury bus is the need of the hour.
AC facility to suit weather
In the scorching summers as well as chilling winters, it is difficult for the people to travel by an ordinary bus. In such a scenario, if the government comes up with a luxury air-conditioned bus, not only will it become more convenient for the people but will also be able to attract more tourists for the service.
“The Yatra bus service is certainly beneficial for the people since they can visit all the main gurdwaras of Amritsar District. But since the bus is not air-conditioned, most of the tourists prefer taking a taxi, since it is more convenient. If the government comes up with a luxury bus, it will be more beneficial for people,” feels Jaswinder Singh, a businessman.
There is only one bus that covers this route, which has a capacity of accommodating nearly 50 members. But in lieu of the huge number of tourists who visit the city, this is a very small number. Despite efforts, the general manager of Punjab Roadways could not be contacted. Keeping the above in mind, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) started a luxury bus service on this route on Thursday. “For the convenience of the-devotees, we have started two air conditioned buses which will run on this route. They will cover the same route of the Yatra bus and will be more convenient,” said Dalmegh Singh, Secretary, and SGPC.
