14 percent increase in income of the corporation: Deputy CM
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri today chaired the 158th meeting of the Board of Directors of Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) and the 70th meeting of the Board of Directors of the Bus Stand Management and Development Authority in Shimla. Various important issues to enhance the transport services and infrastructure in state were discussed in length in the meeting.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the department would resume the recruitment process for 177 posts of Junior Office Assistant (IT) and 12 posts of Computer Operator, which had been delayed since 2022 due to the paper leak. He said that the state government now focusing to fill these vacancies promptly. Apart from this the purchase of 297 new electric buses for HRTC fleet was nearing completion which underscores the commitment of the government to promote eco-friendly transport. The meeting also approved the acquisition of 100 mini-buses to bolster connectivity in rural and hilly areas.
Shri Agnihotri said that the Himachal has become the first state in the country to implement the UPI Credit/Debit NCMC card system within just seven months of its introduction by HRTC. He said that the government has also improved facilities for drivers and conductors. Under this 120-bed accommodation has been established at Rajghat in Delhi which would enhance their working conditions.
Deputy Chief Minister said that in a farmer-friendly decision, the Board approved the waiver of fares for the transportation of milk and vegetables in HRTC buses. The concessions were also announced under the luggage policy of the corporation to provide further relief to commuters.
Mukesh Agnihotri said that the financial performance of HRTC was also reviewed during the meeting and the corporation has earned revenue of Rs. 66 crore so far which reflects 14 percent increase in income of the corporation. He said that this positive trend demonstrates the efforts of present state government to improve the operational efficiency of the transport corporation.
He further said that several infrastructure development projects were also approved in the meeting. These include the construction of car parking and commercial complexes at the old bus stands in Baijnath, Chamba and Una, the latter to be undertaken through a public-private partnership model. The Board also approved the relocation of the Sarkaghat old bus stand to a newly constructed facility at Barchwad and plans were finalized for building a new bus stand at Bharari in Bilaspur district.
Managing Director Rohan Chand Thakur conducted the proceedings of the meeting. Non official members of the BOD , Principal Secretary RD Nazeem, Director DC Negi, Special secretary finance Rohit Jamwal and other senior officers of the corporation were present during the meeting.
