India, Oct. 27 -- Punjab is expanding rural public transport with 100 new mini buses and has allocated Rs.17.72 crore for development at Maharishi Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal in Amritsar.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann flagged off 100 new 29-seater mini buses for the Punjab Roadways Transport Corporation (PRTC) in Patiala on October 26. He said the buses would connect villages and small towns with cities, improving access to education, employment, markets and essential services. Another 309 large buses are planned for the fleet next month.

The buses have been distributed among nine depots: Patiala will receive 25, Bathinda and Chandigarh 15 each, Sangrur 10, Barnala nine, Budhlada eight, Kapurthala seven, Faridkot six and Ludhiana ...