Himachal Roadways asks for Rs 71 crore to buy 500 buses

The Himachal roadways is in desperate need to replace some 500 old buses and has appealed to the state government for money to buy them.

Top officials of the Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation(HRTC) say the state-run company, which is already reeling under over Rs 350 crore of accumulated debt, has now urged the state government to bail it out by paying Rs 71 crore to buy these new buses.

"HRTC has submitted a project to the state government last week asking for Rs 71 crore to buy these buses," said the HRTC Managing Director TC Janartha here Wednesday.

HRTC has recently added 76 new buses to its fleet after auctioning as many old buses, but is in no position to add another 500 buses without help.

HRTC has a fleet of 1,700-odd buses. Many of these have travelled beyond the maximum limit due to which it is risky to travel in these vehicles. These old buses consume more fuel and also have leaking roofs causing a lot of inconvenience to passengers particularly in the countryside where these old buses operate on dirt roads.

In the near absence of railways and airways in the hill state, travelling by state run buses is one of the popular public transport, particularly in the countryside.