In a significant show of dissent, a coalition of trade, transport, farmer, and social organizations staged a strong protest in Bathinda on Tuesday. The demonstration was against the state government's contentious proposal to construct a new bus stand at a distant location on the Malout road, near the now-shuttered Guru Nanak Dev thermal plant.
Shops Shut, Effigy Burnt in Day-Long Agitation
The protest had an immediate impact on the city's commercial life. Traders located along the vital stretch from the Ambedkar statue to Mehna Chowk responded by pulling down the shutters of their establishments till the afternoon. The agitation reached a symbolic peak when the protesters set an effigy of the state government ablaze, visually representing their fiery opposition to the move.
Business owners operating near the current bus stand are leading the charge against the relocation plan. They argue that the existing facility is perfectly situated, serving as a convenient hub for a vast cross-section of society. People from surrounding villages who frequent the District Commissioner's office, courts, or the police complex rely heavily on its central location. The protesters warned that moving the bus stand to a remote area would inflict immense suffering on daily commuters and visitors.
A Long-Pending Issue With a New Controversial Site
The debate over shifting the bus stand is not new. For several years, the fate of the facility, which is currently just a stone's throw from the district's administrative, police, and judicial complexes, has been uncertain. The previous Congress government had initiated a plan to build it closer to the Bathinda Military Station on the upcoming ring road. They even laid a foundation stone, but the project stalled after the Army authorities raised several concerns.
The current Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, reviewed several alternative sites. The final nod was given for a plot on the Malout road near the defunct thermal plant. This official go-ahead has already triggered a noticeable rise in land prices in that area, with plans for some residential colonies also emerging as commercial development begins to take shape.
Public Convenience Versus Development Plans
The core of the protest lies in a clash between perceived public convenience and the government's development blueprint. While the administration may see the new site as part of a larger urban plan, the protesters are adamant that it disregards the needs of the common people. They emphasize that the current bus stand's centrality is its greatest asset, facilitating easy access to essential government services. Relocating it, they fear, will not only inconvenience thousands but also potentially affect the economic vitality of the city's central commercial areas.
The protest on Tuesday signals that the issue is far from resolved. With strong opposition from united fronts of traders, transporters, and farmers, the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government faces the challenge of balancing its infrastructure agenda with the ground realities and demands of Bathinda's citizens.
