Punjab Transport Department Revokes 39 Illegally Extended Private Bus Permits

Chandigarh, October 21:

In compliance with the directives of Punjab’s Transport Minister, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar, the State Transport Department has revoked 39 unlawfully combined bus permits held by private bus operators in the region.

Expanding on this matter, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar explained that, as per the department’s regulations, bus permits are only eligible for a single extension from their destination. However, private bus operators had repeatedly extended these permits in an incorrect manner.

The Cabinet Minister emphasized that, following the rulings of Civil writ petition no. 15786 of 1999 by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the permits of those club permit-holders who had extended their routes more than once were mandated to be canceled. The minister also noted that these orders have been executed after taking into account representations made by the permit holders.

Among the revoked permits were 13 from M/s Dabwali Transport Co Pvt Ltd in Bathinda, 12 from M/s Orbit Aviation Pvt Ltd in Bathinda, 7 from M/s Jujhar Passenger Bus Service Pvt Ltd in Ludhiana, 2 from M/s New Deep Motors Regd in Channu, Gidderbaha, and one each from M/s New Deep Bus Service Regd in Gidderbaha, M/s Victory Transport Co Regd in Moga, M/s Harvindra Highways Bus Service Regd in Moga, M/s Ex-Servicemen Coop Transport Company Ltd in Moga, and Bathinda Bus Company HO in Bathinda. These private operators have been instructed to promptly return these permits to the relevant transport department offices.

Furthermore, the Secretaries of Regional Transport Authorities have been advised not to include canceled CPs (clubbed permits) in any timetables they prepare in their offices. These invalid permits must be removed from the timetables where they were previously included. General Managers of PRTC in Faridkot, Bathinda, Barnala, and Budhlada have also received directives to cease the operation of buses using the canceled permits without delay.