Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said that 1300 new buses would be added into existing 2100 buses of HRTC fleet to provide transport facility to every nook and corner of this hill state.
Intervening in the matter, Mr. Singh stated that the state government is committed to provide transport services in rural areas and state would get fleet of 1300 new buses soon which would offer more transport services to people who are not covered under it.
Cordoning the transport minister G.S. Bali in the question hour today, opposition member alleged that students are not able to get the benefit of free travel in HRTC buses as there is dearth of services in the state.
Former transport minister Mahinder Singh alleged that there are about 10 lakh students enrolled in the state run schools but they could not be accommodated in fleet of 2100 buses as HRTC would have to expand its fleet to more than 20,000 to offer free travel to all students. It was last BJP rule who raised the issue of more buses in the state by union government under JNRHM scheme, he said.
Mr. Singh said that former ministers assumption is not on the fact as every student studying in the state would avail bus services as there are number of schools in the state at short distance of two to three kilometers.
Entire members of opposition were on their toes as they were not satisfied by the reply of Mr. Bali on a query raised by BJP member Ishwar Dass Dhiman about free travel facility being offered to students. Opposition members also shouted against the reply made by Mr. Bali alleging that students were not benefited at all due to lack of HRTC services in the state as its routes have been withdrawn.
Chief Minister said that 100 percent students have been benefited by the free travel facility, however, after addition of fleet this scheme would be effectively implemented in the state.
Mr. Bali said that HRTC is rendering crores of rupees on free and subsidized travel as state government would bear this burden after releasing the same amount.
I want to draw attention of hon’ble transport minister that bus deputed (Reckongpeo depot)from Pangi (Reckongpeo) to Dharamshala should be comfortable and have upper rack for putting laugage. Actually journey from Reckongpeo to Dharmshala is very long and difficult, so it is requsted to depute a good bus having comfortable seats and laugage capacity.
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