RAHIM YAR KHAN: The city is waiting for its new general bus stand to become functional for almost last two years. Sukkur Adda the old bus stand near the fruit and vegetable market on Shahbazpur Road was scrapped and the Govt Girls Degree College was established at its place.

The old bus stand near the fruit and vegetable market had failed due to its location and the government purchased 72-kanal land in 2014 on the Bypass Road near Adam Sahaba Canal against Rs90 million.

The project of establishing the new bus stand started with funds worth Rs100m at the start of 2015 and it included a boundary wall, roads and water tank. The roads are still to be constructed. Due to load of traffic at Khanpur Adda Chowk and security issues, the district administration handed over the bus stand project to the tehsil municipal administration (TMA) and started parking buses and vans there.

The commuters face difficulties at the bus stand because of lack of facilities and delay in its completion. There are no proper waiting areas and washrooms for the passengers and no arrangement of light. Unhygienic food shops have been established illegally where shopkeepers sell eatables and water at hefty rates. Bus and van drivers park their vehicles on the Bypass Road instead of parking them in the bus stand area which creates hurdles to the flow of traffic. There are no proper arrangements for security.

DOC Riasat Ali told Dawn the TMA was looking after the bus stand and funds worth Rs79 million were released in April 2016 for the construction of main terminal, shops, washrooms and mosque. Two contractors are working on the project.

TMA Administrator Jamil Ahmad Jamil said the construction work would be completed on time and the bus stand would be functional soon with all the facilities.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2016