CHANDIGARH: Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar has termed as baseless the claims of bias or irregularities regarding the leasing of different parts of Ludhiana Bus Stand, saying that Ludhiana Bus Stand was on overall lease before December 10, 2021, whereas now different parts of the place have been leased. He said that this policy is being followed since the time of previous governments and on the same lines other bus stands of Punjab have also been leased.
The Transport Minister clarified and appealed for refraining from unfounded news and misleading propaganda, saying that the construction work of the Ludhiana bus stand was done by the Wellsampan Company in the year 2006 on BOT (Bundle Operate and Transfer). This company operated the bus stand on BOT basis till the year 2016. After this, the Ludhiana bus stand was again given to the Mess.LRY Company in the year 2018 on MOT (Maintenance Operate and Transfer) basis.
He said that due to the Corona pandemic in the year 2020, the concession fee due by the Mess.LRY company was not deposited with the department, due to which the agreement of this company was suspended by the department and the maintenance of the bus stand Ludhiana was being done by Punbus at its own level from December 10, 2021.