Ludhiana: What appears to be a routine maintenance lapse at the city bus stand has emerged as a potential structural concern, with peepal trees, shrubs and other vegetation growing unchecked on the rooftops of the heavily used public facility.Experts warn that peepal (Ficus religiosa) and similar species can establish themselves in cracks and crevices, sending roots into masonry and widening existing fissures over time. If left unattended, such growth can accelerate the deterioration of a structure.The issue is particularly concerning as the bus stand is one of the city’s busiest public transport hubs, handling thousands of passengers daily. Photographs from the premises show established peepal saplings and dense vegetation on rooftops, pointing to a prolonged lack of inspection and preventive maintenance.The overgrowth is also symptomatic of wider neglect at the facility. Garbage can be seen strewn across parts of the bus stand, while vegetation sprouting from rooftops suggests upkeep has not kept pace with the demands of a high-footfall public facility.The deterioration is striking because the bus stand remains in constant use, with a steady flow of passengers and buses throughout the day. Routine measures such as roof inspections, removal of weeds and saplings, cleaning of drainage outlets and timely repair of cracks could have prevented the problem from escalating.Experts note that removing young saplings is relatively straightforward. However, once peepal plants become established and their roots penetrate masonry, removal becomes more complicated and may require specialised intervention to avoid further damage.Commuters said the vegetation reflected years of neglect.“Such growth does not happen in a few days. It takes a long time for a plant to become this big. If the rooftops had been cleaned even once every few months, these plants could have been removed when they were still small,” said a passenger.Another commuter said the overgrowth was only one visible sign of broader maintenance issues. “At one point, water was dripping from the ceilings. This is a public facility used by thousands of people every day,” he said.“Regular inspections would have prevented this. If someone had checked the roof every few months, these plants would never have reached this size,” said Ishpreet, another passenger.PUNBUS depot general manager Navraj Batish could not be contacted for comment despite repeated attempts.
