BAHAWALPUR: The stage is set to launch a sight-seeing double-decker bus service in the city under the name of “ Sight-Seeing Bahawalpur”.

The PTDC has provided a double-decker bus for this purpose. The bus painted beautifully is parked outside the PTDC information officer here, where a large number of locals including children had its glimpse and were amused to see it.

Dawn learnt that the Punjab Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) had announced long ago that it would introduce recreational bus for the local population and visitors. But it was delayed due to unavoidable circumstances including the selection of the site for its terminal.

The administration had proposed its terminal within the premises of the historical central library but it was vehemently opposed by the local literary and intellectual circles and eventually the proposal was dropped by the local administration. Due to this it caused inordinate delay in the introduction of this service here. Now, its terminal would be outside the local PTDC information office , which is located at the old press club building near Dring Stadium.

PTDC senior tourism officer Irfan Mahmood told Dawn that the PTDC was rapidly finalizing the arrangements of the plying of sight-seeing Bahawalpur double-decker bus in the city. He added that the double –decker bus had the total capacity of 65 passengers and its proposed route would be from the originating point of PTDC office to DCO chowk, old CMH chowk Library chowk, Fowara Chowk and then the last station would be the historic Noor Mahal where the bus would have about half an hour’s stay for the visitors.

He said the fare of Rs300 had been proposed for each passenger and added that the details pertaining to its inauguration and others were being worked out by the PTDC official in Lahore. He expressed the hope that the sight-seeing service may be introduced soon in the city.

Earlier, PTDC officials in accordance with the Punjab government’s initiative and under the vision of Prime Minster Imran Khan to promote the tourism in and around this historic city of Bahawalpur had announced that it would introduce double-decker bus service up to the National Park, Lal Sohanra about 35 kms from here and other historic places in the vast desert of Cholistan. The national park is a unique park with its attraction to the tourists and visitors from across the world.

But now the PTDC’s sight-seeing double-decker bus service initiative will only consist of city’s noted places for the visitors, who may be aspiring for their visits to more historic monuments around the city as Bahawalpur was rich in the heritage treasurer.

Besides, the PTDC should bring more double-decker buses and increase its fleet here for the recreation of thousands of students and tourists across the South Punjab and other adjacent areas of Sindh province.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2020