Setting a 48-hour deadline, Punjab Transport Minister Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Wednesday directed the department’s officers to remove all encroachments from all the bus stands across the State.

Warring, chairing a maiden meeting after assuming charge of the Department, said that the encroachments at the bus stands are not only creating inconvenience to the masses but is also causing a huge loss to the state exchequer which needs to be checked at the earliest. “And these encroachments have to be removed within 48 hours. Every encroachment, whether big or small, has to be removed, else strict action will be taken,” he made it clear to the officials.

The Minister also asked the General Managers to make strenuous and collective efforts for enhancing the Department's income. “Any officer, indulging in fraudulent activities, will not be spared at any cost,” he warned while asking them to ensure speedy recovery of arrears from the wilful defaulting transporters.

He said that the due tax must be collected from the transporters and also called upon the staff to perform their duty fearlessly and meticulously as per the prescribed policy. The officers were also asked to ensure checking of the government and private buses in the state. Warring also asked the officers to ensure proper cleanliness at the bus stands adding that every General Manager will be responsible for the upkeep of buses under their jurisdiction. He also asked them to dispose off all junk in their offices within a fortnight.