The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has approved a comprehensive plan to modernise key bus terminals across the state, aiming to strengthen public transport infrastructure and enhance passenger convenience. The initiative will be implemented through a structured public–private partnership (PPP) model to improve efficiency, safety and service quality.

Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar said that bus terminals in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Sangrur, Patiala and Bathinda will be upgraded as part of the programme. He noted that these terminals serve as critical transport hubs for both rural and urban populations, facilitating daily travel for workers, students, traders, tourists and industrial labourers. They also play a significant role in inter-state connectivity, supporting passenger movement to neighbouring states such as Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan.

Highlighting passenger volumes, Bhullar said the Ludhiana and Jalandhar terminals handle between 75,000 and 100,000 passengers daily, while Patiala and Bathinda witness around 50,000 passengers each day. These figures underscore the strategic importance of the terminals in Punjab’s mobility ecosystem.

The modernisation programme will be executed using Design–Build–Finance–Operate–Transfer and Build–Operate–Transfer models to ensure sustainability, operational efficiency and better integration with urban transport systems, while maintaining fiscal discipline. The upgrades will focus on improving passenger amenities such as waiting areas, sanitation facilities, lighting, signage, organised boarding arrangements and structured parking. Special emphasis will be placed on safety, circulation and crowd management to ensure smooth operations during peak hours.

Inclusivity is a key priority of the initiative, with provisions for barrier-free access and improved mobility for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Subject to planning norms and regulatory approvals, the upgraded terminals will be developed as integrated urban hubs, incorporating commercial and service activities such as retail outlets, offices, co-working spaces and logistics facilities. These additions are expected to stimulate economic activity and enhance long-term financial sustainability.

Through this initiative, the Punjab Government aims to modernise everyday public infrastructure, improve the travel experience for millions of citizens and establish new benchmarks for efficient, people-centric bus terminal development across the state.