Patiala News:100 Mini Buses Will Connect Punjab’s Villages With Cities: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Mini Bus Services To Make Travel Easier For People Living In Rural Areas & Students: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
100 29-Seater Mini Buses To Operate On Rural Routes Through 9 Depots Across Punjab: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
309 More Large Buses To Join PRTC Fleet Next Month: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Around 3,000 Private Mini Buses Also Connecting Towns, Cities & Villages: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
100 New PRTC Buses Generate Employment For 150 Youth: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Just As Canal Water Has Reached Every Field, Buses Will Reach Every Village In Punjab: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Previous Govts Had Discontinued Bus Services Connecting Villages With Cities: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Flagging off 100 new mini buses (PRTC Junior) in Patiala on Monday, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann reaffirmed his government’s commitment to connecting every village with cities, declaring that just as canal water has reached every field, buses would reach every village in Punjab. Taking a swipe at previous governments for discontinuing village-to-city bus services, he said the new buses would strengthen rural connectivity, ease daily travel for residents and students, and improve access to education, employment and essential services.
Announcing that another 309 large buses would join the fleet next month, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the induction of 29-seater 100 mini buses would also generate employment for around 150 youth, while 15 young people were handed offer letters for jobs in the transport department.
Taking to X, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “Strengthening Punjab’s transport infrastructure, today we added 100 new mini buses to the PRTC fleet in Patiala. These buses will specifically connect our villages with cities, making travel more convenient for rural residents. We also handed over offer letters to 15 young people for jobs in the department. To further improve public transport services, another 309 new full-size buses will be added to the fleet next month.”
During a media interaction after flagging off the buses, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Public transport is not merely a means of travelling from one place to another; it is a lifeline for rural communities. Reliable bus services enable students to pursue education, help families access employment opportunities and strengthen the economic and social fabric of villages.”
Emphasising the government’s commitment to balanced development, the Chief Minister said, “Just as we have ensured that canal water reaches every field, we will ensure that buses reach every village in Punjab. The benefits of development must reach every household, irrespective of whether people live in big cities, small towns or remote villages.”
He pointed out, “Earlier governments neglected rural transport connectivity, leaving people struggling to travel to cities for work, education and other essential needs. Our government is determined to reverse this trend and ensure that no one is deprived of opportunities because of where they live.”
The Chief Minister said, “The 100 new 29-seater mini buses will operate on rural and small-town routes through PRTC’s nine depots. These services will make daily commuting easier for rural residents travelling to cities for employment, business and other essential activities. School and college students will also benefit significantly from improved connectivity.”
He said the buses had been allocated across various depots, including Patiala, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Sangrur, Barnala, Budhlada, Kapurthala, Faridkot and Ludhiana.
Highlighting the expansion of public transport, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Another 309 large buses will be added to the fleet next month. Around 3,000 privately operated mini buses are also connecting villages, towns and cities across Punjab. We are continuously strengthening the public transport network to make travel more accessible for people.”
On employment generation, he said, “The induction of these 100 new mini buses will create employment opportunities for approximately 150 drivers and conductors. Our government is committed to combining public welfare with job creation so that investments in public infrastructure also create livelihood opportunities.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Better rural connectivity is essential for strengthening Punjab’s rural economy. It will help people reach their workplaces, enable students to attend educational institutions more conveniently and allow rural residents to access markets and essential services with greater ease.”
The Chief Minister added, “Development cannot be measured merely by the infrastructure built in big cities. It must also be measured by the opportunities, convenience and dignity it brings to ordinary people living in villages. Our aim is to build a Punjab where geographical distance does not become a barrier to education, employment or progress.”
Congratulating the people on the occasion, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated that the state government would continue its efforts to strengthen public transport and ensure that every village remained connected to Punjab’s growth and development.
During this, Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, and other official were also present.
*Bhagwant Mann Government Strengthening Rural Connectivity And Creating Employment*
The Bhagwant Mann government is strengthening Punjab’s public transport network to connect villages with cities, improve access to education and employment, and boost the rural economy. The government has flagged off 100 new 29-seater mini buses for the Punjab Roadways Transport Corporation (PRTC), with the buses allocated across all nine depots.
The new services will operate on rural and small-town routes, making daily travel more convenient for rural residents, workers, small traders and school and college students. The initiative will also generate employment opportunities for approximately 150 drivers and conductors. The government plans to add another 309 full-size buses to the fleet next month, further expanding public transport services across Punjab.
*Depot-Wise Allocation Of 100 mini Buses:*
• Patiala: 25 buses
• Bathinda: 15 buses
• Chandigarh: 15 buses
• Sangrur: 10 buses
• Barnala: 9 buses
• Budhlada: 8 buses
• Kapurthala: 7 buses
• Faridkot: 6 buses
• Ludhiana: 5 buses
Among those present on the occasion were Punjab Finance and Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, Aam Aadmi Party’s State General Secretary and Media In-charge Baltej Singh Pannu, PRTC Chairman Advocate Harpal Juneja, Mandi Board Chairman Harchand Singh Barsat, MLA Ajitpal Singh Kohli, former Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra, actor Binnu Dhillon, Municipal Corporation Mayor Kundan Gogia, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal, SSP Harmandeep Hans, PRTC MD Manisha Rana, Vice Chairman Balwinder Singh Jharwan, AMD Navdeep Kumar, District Planning Committee Chairman Tejinder Mehta, AAP Rural District President Harpal Singh Virk, Urban District President Navaldeep Singh, Deputy Mayor Jagdeep Singh Jagga, Punjab Agro Chairman Baljinder Singh Dhillon, ADC Damanjit Singh Mann, District Media In-charge Ravinder Pal Singh Prince Lamba, State Secretary of the Trade Wing G.S. Oberoi, PRTC Board Directors Dr. Wazir Singh, Boota Singh Virk, Rajinder Singh Real and Gurpreet Singh Virk, Bhagwan Dass Juneja, Yuvraj Juneja, Rahul Mehta, Simran Grewal, Navneet Walia and Binder Niku.
PRTC Chairman Advocate Harpal Juneja expressed his special gratitude to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for flagging off the new 100 junior buses. He said that, in accordance with the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and under the leadership of Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, PRTC would leave no stone unturned in providing quality transport facilities to the people of Punjab.