The Punjab and Haryana High Court has recently disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging the Punjab government has not built a new bus terminal at Baba Banda Singh Bahadur ISBT, Mohali, in spite of having spent Rs 500 crore.
The PIL has been filed by one Ram Kumar. Assistant Advocate General Avineet Avasthi, the counsel appearing for the State of Punjab, on instructions from Sukhwinder Kumar, Secretary, Regional Transport Authority, SAS Nagar (Mohali), submitted that the bus terminal has already been made functional.
Munish Bhardwaj, advocate for the petitioner, vehemently opposed the said statement.
However, as the said statement has been made at the behest of an officer of the authorities, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Ravi Shanker Jha and Justice Arun Palli took it on record believing it to be true and disposed of the petition by directing the respondents-authorities to act upon the statement and ensure that no incorrect statement is made before this Court regarding functionality of the bus terminal.
It is, further, observed by the Court that, in case, the petitioner has any other grievance remaining in respect of the said bus terminal, he may approach the authorities in that regard.
The Assistant Advocate General submitted that, in case, the petitioner does so, the authorities shall immediately look into the issue, raised by the petitioner, and take a decision thereon expeditiously and in accordance with law.