Chief Minister Sukhu flags off 24 Volvo buses

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 3

The state government is committed to providing world-class transport facilities to people and transforming Himachal into a green energy state, said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while flagging off 24 state-of-the-art Volvo buses at Kyari Ghat near Solan on Wednesday evening.

The Chief Minister said that substantial funds had been allocated to strengthen the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC). “Over the past two years, the government has provided an annual grant of Rs 1,000 crore to ensure convenient and comfortable transport services to the public,” he added.

He said that the government had procured 500 diesel buses, 300 electric buses and 30 Volvo buses. To further improve transport services, the government had a plan to purchase 100 Tempo Travellers. At present, the HRTC was receiving a monthly subsidy of Rs 60 crore, he added.

The Chief Minister said that due to limited rail and air connectivity in the state, road transport was the primary mode of travel for most people and HRTC buses were the main means of transportation. He added that extensive work was underway to develop Himachal Pradesh as a green energy state and hydrogen-powered and e-buses were being actively promoted.

Sukhu said, “In line with the vision of a green Himachal, more charging stations will be set up across the state at a cost of Rs 110 crore.”

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said that the HRTC had completed 50 years. “HRTC buses are the lifeline of the people of the state. These buses carry four lakh to five lakh passengers everyday,” he added.

Agnihotri said, “Over the past two years, the state government has operated 250 diesel buses and is also planning to add 250 new buses to the HRTC fleet soon.” Besides, HRTC buses were providing services even in the most remote areas of the state and on the longest Delhi-Leh route, he added.

Agnihotri said that the state government had granted various financial benefits to the employees of the corporation over the past two years, including the Old Pension Scheme, and paid them the arrears of allowances. “New bus stands are also being constructed in the state,” he added.

Himachal Tribune