Shimla News
HRTC’s Mini Buses to Navigate Shimla’s Narrow Roads for Enhanced Connectivity
- Himachal Path Parivahan Nigam to Begin Procurement of 100 New Buses in Three Months
- Closure of Mini Buses Causes Distress for Residents of Jhanjiri, Kelti, Barmu, and MI Room
Shimla, January 30: In the coming days, Shimla’s narrow roads will witness the arrival of mini and midi buses, specifically designed to tackle the city’s unique terrain. These buses have been carefully crafted to navigate the winding, steep paths of the mountains, offering a practical and efficient mode of transportation for the city’s residents and visitors alike. With their compact size and mountain-friendly design, these buses are set to improve connectivity in Shimla’s more congested and hard-to-reach areas.
HRTC has announced plans to purchase approximately 100 new buses, with the tender process expected to begin shortly. The purchase is set to be completed within three months. These 25-seater buses are expected to bring significant relief to thousands of residents living in the suburbs of Shimla. The need for these buses has become even more urgent after the complete discontinuation of mini buses this month, as they have completed their 15-year operational tenure. With the closure of these mini buses, several areas, including Jhanjiri, MI Room, Andari, Kelti, and Barmu, have been left without bus services. Due to the narrow roads in these regions, it is not feasible to operate regular-sized buses, making the arrival of these new, compact buses crucial for restoring essential transport links.
As a result, residents in these areas have been struggling with the lack of bus services for several months. To address this issue, both the state government and HRTC have made the decision to purchase mini midi buses, which will serve as a replacement for the previously discontinued mini buses. These new buses, equipped with modern amenities, are expected to provide significant relief to the city dwellers by ensuring a more efficient and comfortable travel option, particularly for those living in hard-to-reach areas. The introduction of these buses will not only restore essential connectivity but also improve the overall commuting experience for the people of Shimla.
HRTC Steps In with Tempo Travellers to Fill Transport Gap, But Challenges Persist
In the wake of the mini bus closures, HRTC has been offering transport services to the affected areas using tempo travellers. However, despite this effort, the tempo travellers are proving inadequate for the large population they are serving. These vehicles often run overloaded, particularly during peak hours in the morning and evening. This overloading, combined with the narrow and steep roads in the region, poses significant safety risks, including the potential for accidents. The ongoing challenges highlight the urgent need for a more reliable and safer transport solution for these communities.
Enhanced Transport for Tribal Areas with Introduction of Mini Midi Buses
As part of its initiative to improve connectivity, HRTC will deploy 50 of its newly purchased mini midi buses in tribal areas. These regions have previously experienced low passenger numbers, which led to financial losses for the corporation. To address this, HRTC has decided to operate smaller buses on routes where passenger demand is lower. This strategic move will help minimize losses for the corporation while simultaneously offering better and more accessible transport services to the people living in these remote areas. The introduction of these buses will ensure that residents in tribal regions receive a reliable and efficient mode of transportation, improving their overall mobility and quality of life.
A tragic incident occurred in the Jhanjhiri area when a bus was involved in an accident, resulting in the loss of several precious lives. This unfortunate event has highlighted the challenges faced by the corporation, as no buses other than mini buses can effectively navigate the narrow and winding routes of these areas. Due to this constraint, residents are left with no choice but to travel in overloaded tempo travellers, putting their safety at significant risk. The need for a safer and more suitable transportation solution has become urgent, as the current circumstances continue to jeopardize the well-being of commuters.
Rohan Chand Thakur, Managing Director of HRTC, stated that the management is in the final stages of completing all necessary formalities to procure mini-midi buses for the corporation. He announced that the tenders for the buses will be issued shortly, with the goal of completing the entire purchasing process within the next three months. These new buses will not only serve the suburbs of Shimla but will also be deployed within the city to enhance the public transport system. This move aims to provide residents with better, more reliable transportation options, addressing the current gaps in service and improving overall connectivity in Shimla.
