HRTC’s gift: Fares for milk and vegetables waived
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh), 26 November, Tuesday
Kumud Sharma, Diary Times: Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri recently chaired the 70th meeting of the Board of Directors of the Himachal Pradesh Urban Transport and Bus Station Management and Development Authority. During the meeting, several key decisions were made to enhance the state’s transport infrastructure. It was decided to replace the old bus stations in Chamba and Una with a modern car parking cum commercial complex, aiming to provide better facilities and boost local economies. Additionally, the board approved the construction of a new bus station in Mandi Bharadi, located in Bilaspur, to cater to the growing transportation needs of the area. After the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Agnihotri conducted an inspection of the old bus station in Shimla, where he emphasized the need for its beautification. He directed the concerned officers to take immediate steps to improve the aesthetics and facilities at the Shimla bus station, ensuring a better experience for commuters and visitors. These decisions reflect the government’s commitment to improving public transportation infrastructure and creating a more efficient and modern transport system across Himachal Pradesh.
The waiver of fares in milk and vegetables has brought great relief to the small farmers and traders of the state. After the waiver, now the poor farmer will be able to supply milk and vegetables to the right place without any fare. This decision is also being considered important by HRTC because in this a small effort has been made by the government to especially uplift the rural environment of the state, which may not provide much relief but may reduce difficulties.
After the waiver of milk and vegetable fares, the HRTC Board of Directors stressed on implementing various decisions to expand bus services and strengthen facilities. Also, keeping in mind the state’s Green Himachal Mission, it has been decided to purchase 297 new electric buses and add 100 mini buses to the fleet to provide connectivity to the most remote areas of the state.
Agnihotri said that the waiver of milk and vegetable transport will ensure the well-being of the people of the rural areas of the state and HRTC buses will become a great support for farmers to transport their vegetables to the market. This decision will improve the rural economy of the state and the residents and farmers will get a huge relief and their confidence in traveling in HRTC buses will increase.
After the waiver of fares, the state government is also going to decide on the drivers and conductors working with modern facilities, the biggest step in this is said to be a 120-bed housing facility in Rajghat, Delhi, which will bring positive changes in the lives of drivers and conductors.
In the meeting of the Board of Directors, important aspects of improving the financial condition of HRTC, which is continuously suffering losses, were considered, in which HRTC has recorded a revenue of Rs 66 crore in the treasury by the month of November 2024 with a growth rate of 14 percent. With the increase in revenue, HRTC is gradually improving its financial condition and the entire credit for this was given to the units of the entire HRTC.
With the new direction and change of HRTC, the state government shows its commitment to take tough decisions to make HRTC a strong aspect and continuously improve the services as well as operate the transport in a well-governed manner in the interest of the public.
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