Himachal Pradesh Now Has 100 Volvo Buses in its Fleet
Published On Jan 16, 2017
The Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HPRTC), now, has reached the 100 Volvo Buses mark in its fleet. The number of regular buses, on the other hand has also significantly increased to 3100 from 1600, told G S Bali, Transport Minister for the state.
Mr Bali confirmed these numbers in Palampur, where he was present for the flagging off of the Palampur - Delhi and Palampur - Chandigarh Volvo bus services. The minister claimed the steps taken by the corporation, to be responsible behind the increase in revenue by eight crore this year. HPRTC, as per Mr Bali, is focusing on providing better bus as well as bus stand services to travellers.
Palampur - Chandigarh Volvo bus service is scheduled to start from Palampur in the morning every day and return back to Palampur the same day, faciltating one day to and fro journey, from Palampur to the capital of Punjab and Haryana.
From electric bus trials on Rohtang pass to announcing new Volvo bus services, the Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation is making a lot of news lately. The state government of Himachal Pradesh, after NGT's order, had invited bus makers from India and abroad, to conduct electric bus trials on Rohtang pass. It is learnt that the National Green Tribunal does not want diesel fueled buses to operate on the ecologically fragile Rohtang corridor.
The Tribunal, before coming to the conclusion of banning diesel vehicles on the route, had provided sufficing evidence of damage caused by the smoke emitted from them. Several CV manufacturers, including Chinese, have taken the road tests for winning electric buses’ contract from the government, but none has been finalised yet.
Once HPRTC starts the electric bus services, it will become the first state in India to do so on the Manali-Rohtang route. Mr Bali also told media that the state is also considering electric buses for other routes, as it wants to tackle pollution on a very serious note.
