HRTC bears loss of Rs 28.24 cr on uneconomic routes

Shimla, Aug 19 (UNI) Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation (HRTC) is providing services on the most uneconomic routes bearing the loss of Rs 28.24 crore annually.

Stating this here today, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said that HRTC, with fleet strength of 1866 buses, was operating 34 percent of its buses on rural roads and had 958 uneconomic routes despite heavy loss of revenue to it.

He said that 'Gram Parivahan Swarozgar Yojna' would be launched to motivate rural youth and tax concession would be provided to create employment in the state, besides, Ashoka Leyland and Tata Motors would be approached to open hi-tech model driving training schools to upgrade the driving skills of the youth.

He said that strict checking for pollution and violation of traffic rules should be ensured to protect fragile ecology .

The Chief Minister said that ISBT Tutikandi and old bus stand would be link with ropeway and added that there was a need to operate daily AC buses connecting all major district headquarters with the state capital.

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