December 11, 2011

The State Government in its commitment to provide better transport facility to the people recently approved ‘Mukhya Mantri Parivahan Yojna’ to ensure that people residing in the State get the facility of transport nearer to their homes. This scheme will not only strengthen the transport facilities in rural areas but also ensure employment to the people. Under the Scheme 120 focal points have been identified upto which HRTC buses would ply. From the focal points, the buses of private operators will carry passengers to villages. The Scheme would apply to all loss making routes.

The routes for 'Mukhya Mantri Parivahan Yojna’ will be advertised by the Department for inviting applications. The Government will give monthly amount of Rs. 1000 for 17 seaters, Rs. 1500 for 22 seaters and Rs. 2000 for 29 seaters bus.

Permits under the scheme will only be issued to unemployed youth and to co-operative societies of drivers and conductors. Age to obtain permit have been fixed between 18 to 45 years and applicant should be a bonafide resident of Himachal Pradesh.

For providing better & efficient transport in Shimla town, 75 buses are being introduced in Shimla town under Jawahar Lal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme of the Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India.

The ISBT Tutikandi, Shimla had been operationalised with unique special features consisting of three floors parking to accommodate about 150 small vehicles, crew rest room, canteen and office space besides two floors of modern shopping mall, two multiplexes, hotel and food court supported by water tanks, drainage, lighting, DG set, transformers for back up, security cabins and surveillance through CCTVs.

Seven more modern bus stands at Baddi, Dhalli (Shimla), Manali, Chintpurni, Baijnath, Bilaspur and Rohru are proposed to be constructed on Design- Build- Operate & Transfer (DBOT) basis.

The Corporation has fleet of 15 Luxury buses (i.e. 11 Volvo & 4 ISUZU) on Shimla-Delhi, Shimla-Gurgaon, Manali-Chandigarh, Dharmshala-Delhi, Jogindernagar-Delhi, Manali-Delhi and Shimla-Haridwar routes on deluxe fare.

The Corporation has introduced 21 AC buses (TATA/LEYLAND) on Shimla-Delhi, Shimla-Gurgaon, Manali-Chandigarh, Dharamshala-Delhi, Jogindernagar-Delhi, Manali-Delhi and Shimla-Haridwar routes on deluxe fare.

HRTC has been plying its buses even in the difficult terrain of the State and the recent revamp will further strengthen the state run transportation service.