Chandigarh, June 10: The Punjab government on Tuesday added five new premium Volvo coaches to its state-run fleet, strengthening direct luxury bus services from Jalandhar and Ludhiana to the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Punjab Finance and Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema flagged off the initial batch of Super Integral Volvo vehicles, declaring that the expanded transit system will provide affordable, safe, and highly structured travel options for international commuters, regular travelers, and the state’s vast Non-Resident Indian diaspora.
The state transport administration maintained that the development forms part of a concerted strategy to eradicate unauthorized private transport monopolies that have long dominated the lucrative airport route. State officials stated that the premium public service operates under strict governmental oversight to protect passengers from inflated fares.
“This vital initiative will greatly assist international commuters and routine passengers besides completely eliminating the transport mafia from the state,” Cheema stated during the flagging-off ceremony.
The Transport Minister noted that the service was initially conceptualized and introduced in June 2022 by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann alongside former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. He affirmed that the current expansion aims to deliver comfort and convenience at heavily subsidized and economical ticket prices, with a total of 15 new luxury vehicles planned for integration into the Punbus branch.
Cheema declared that the first five coaches will operate on fixed daily timetables, departing Jalandhar at 06:50, 07:40, 09:10, 14:27, and 23:30, while Ludhiana departures are set for 08:20, 09:15, 11:20, 16:20, and 00:20. The return runs from the Delhi airport back into Punjab are scheduled daily at 04:40, 09:00, 17:20, 19:30, and 21:40.
The state government is executing a broader modernisation drive across its public transport networks, with 696 new buses being integrated into Punjab Roadways, Punbus, and the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation. Cheema stated that this larger rollout involves adding 100 ordinary buses, 100 air-conditioned HVAC vehicles, and 10 kilometer-scheme luxury coaches to Punbus, alongside 245 ordinary buses dedicated to boosting the capacity and reliability of PRTC services across regional routes.
