MOHALI, 26 June — Municipal Corporation Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi has urged Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to intervene on two long-standing civic demands in Mohali — the establishment of a Panjab University-affiliated college and the launch of a dedicated city bus service to address mounting public transport needs.
In two separate memorandums submitted on Wednesday, Bedi called for immediate action, citing Mohali’s rapid expansion and the pressing needs of its growing population. “Despite being an integral part of the Tricity and witnessing rapid development, Mohali continues to lack both a Panjab University centre and adequate public transport,” he said.
In the first memorandum, Bedi pressed for the setting up of a PU-affiliated regional centre or college in Mohali, calling the absence of such an institution a major barrier to accessible, quality higher education for local youth. He also questioned the fairness of the current 85:15 quota between Chandigarh and Punjab students for admissions to Panjab University and proposed the formation of a joint committee of the UT administration and the Punjab government to resolve the issue. As a symbolic gesture, Bedi recommended that the proposed centre be named after former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, a distinguished alumnus of PU.
In his second submission, Bedi turned attention to public transport inadequacies, calling for the launch of a “Greater Mohali City Bus Service.” He noted that while Mohali’s residential and commercial footprint has grown into areas like TDI City, Aero City, Dhelpur, and Kurri, the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) currently operates buses on only 21 of 69 approved routes, leaving large parts of the city underserved.
“Better bus connectivity will not only improve public mobility but also reduce fuel consumption, lower pollution, and enhance revenue generation,” Bedi said. He also pointed out that major public landmarks such as the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur War Memorial remain practically inaccessible due to transport gaps.
Governor Kataria, who is also the Administrator of Chandigarh, is reported to have responded positively to the memorandums. Sources said he issued immediate directions to the Panjab University Vice-Chancellor and the Chandigarh Finance Secretary to follow up on the matters raised.
The appeal marks a fresh push to align Mohali’s infrastructure with its fast-changing urban character, amid growing public pressure for both educational and civic improvements.
