RAWALPINDI: The newly-refurbished Pirwadhai General Bus Stand was formally inaugurated on Monday by Divisional Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha with new facilities for passengers.

The project to refurbish the bus stand was started in February and ended in June.For the information of buses, a special desk has been established for women where female staff had been deployed.

Four porters were deployed in waiting halls to carry the luggage of women and old-aged people from waiting halls to buses. The security staff comprising 20 persons will be deployed in the general bus stand for security.

CCTV cameras have been installed, he said, adding that the cleaning staff has been deployed. Special care has been taken to clean the washrooms. Helpers have also been kept for the elderly and disabled passengers. The construction of the mosque is special.

Speaking on the occasion, the commissioner said the project to upgrade Pirwadhai General Bus Stand had been started in order to facilitate the people who travelled from Rawalpindi to other parts of the country.

He said that the condition of waiting halls was the worst and it was decided to install air-conditioners in the waiting halls and in the general bus stand. He said that the basic aim of up-gradation of the bus stand to improve service for the common man as low income groups used the bus stand to travel from twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

He said bus operators had also been asked to ensure the schedule to arrival and departure of buses and wagons so people would not face difficulty, adding that the administration will not charge a single penny for upgraded facilities.