Patiala, 26 October (H.S.): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday flagged off 100 new 29-seater mini buses in Patiala, reaffirming the state government’s commitment to connecting villages with cities and strengthening public transport in rural areas.

The Chief Minister said the new buses would make daily commuting easier for rural residents, workers, traders and students while improving access to education, employment, markets and essential services. Taking a dig at previous governments, he alleged that rural transport connectivity had been neglected, leaving villagers struggling to reach cities for their daily needs.

“Just as we have ensured that canal water reaches every field, we will ensure that buses reach every village in Punjab,” Mann said, emphasising that the benefits of development should reach people in villages, small towns and cities alike.

The 100 mini buses have been allocated across all nine depots of the Punjab Roadways Transport Corporation (PRTC). The Chief Minister also announced that another 309 full-size buses would be added to the fleet next month to further expand public transport services across the state.

According to Mann, the introduction of the new buses is expected to create employment opportunities for approximately 150 drivers and conductors. On the occasion, offer letters were also handed over to 15 young people selected for jobs in the transport department.

The depot-wise allocation includes 25 buses for Patiala, 15 each for Bathinda and Chandigarh, 10 for Sangrur, nine for Barnala, eight for Budhlada, seven for Kapurthala, six for Faridkot and five for Ludhiana.

Addressing the media after flagging off the buses, Mann said public transport was a lifeline for rural communities, enabling students to attend educational institutions, helping people reach workplaces and allowing families to access essential services more conveniently.

He added that around 3,000 privately operated mini buses were also serving villages, towns and cities across Punjab. The government, he said, was working to strengthen the transport network and ensure that geographical distance did not become a barrier to education, employment or economic progress. Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh and other officials were present during the flag-off ceremony.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH