Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday flagged off 100 new mini buses for the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) fleet from Patiala, reaffirming his government's commitment to seamlessly connect every village with nearby towns and urban centers. Drawing a parallel with the state's irrigation initiatives, CM Mann announced that just as canal water has been successfully delivered to every agricultural field, public bus services will now reach every village across Punjab. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Mann criticized previous state governments for neglecting rural transport infrastructure and discontinuing key bus routes that connected villages to cities. He highlighted that the newly introduced 29-seater mini buses will significantly strengthen rural connectivity, ease daily commutes, and streamline access to education, employment, healthcare, and other essential services for rural residents, workers, and students. Fleet Expansion and Job Creation The Chief Minister shared that the introduction of these 100 mini buses will create direct employment opportunities for approximately 150 drivers and conductors. During the launch event, appointment letters were handed over to 15 newly recruited youths in the transport department. Taking to social media platform X, CM Mann posted: "Strengthening Punjab's transport infrastructure, today we added 100 new mini buses to the PRTC fleet in Patiala. These buses will specifically connect our villages to cities, making travel easier for rural residents. We also handed over appointment letters for department jobs to 15 youths. To further upgrade public transport, 309 more large buses will be added to the fleet next month." Depot-Wise Distribution of 100 Mini Buses The 100 mini buses have been strategically allocated across nine PRTC depots to cover rural and small-town routes: Patiala: 25 buses Bathinda: 15 buses Chandigarh: 15 buses Sangrur: 10 buses Barnala: 9 buses Budhlada: 8 buses Kapurthala: 7 buses Faridkot: 6 buses Ludhiana: 5 buses Strengthening Public Infrastructure Chief Minister Mann emphasized that public transport is not merely a mode of travel but a vital lifeline for rural communities. He noted that approximately 3,000 private mini buses are already operating across towns and villages, and the addition of state-run PRTC buses will further bolster the network. He added that true development cannot be measured solely by urban infrastructure, but by ensuring equal access, dignity, and opportunities for citizens living in rural areas. Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, and other senior government officials were present at the event.