Uttaranchal launches semi-deluxe bus service

After launching new luxury bus service between New Delhi and Dehra Dun, the Uttaranchal transport department today kicked off new semi-delux bus service, connecting all the 13 district headquarters with the state capital.

The new bus service was launched by Transport Minister Hira Singh Bist from ISBT.

Last year, the "Volvo Devbhumi" service was launched between New Delhi and Dehra Dun "� one in the morning and another at night. "We believe the new service would surely boost state tourism," Bisht said.

If the new service remained successful, the transport department would launch similar bus services to other cities in the country. For this purpose, the state transport department recently bought two Volvo buses, with a cost of Rs 56 lakh each, Bisht added.

Another high-tech bus services was launched by the transport department last year. The transport department is running nearly 40 high-tech buses in both Garhwal and Kumaon regions of the state to different destinations like New Delhi and other major cities. The total cost of each Ashok Leyland bus was around Rs 12 lakh, Bisht said.

Meanwhile, efforts are to launch Volvo bus service from Nainital, Hardwar and Rishikesh areas, which are major tourist and pilgrim centers of the state.

"Through this experiment, we want to provide maximum comfort to tourists visiting the state," Bisht added.

Already, the transport department has spent Rs 50 crore for strengthening its bus fleet. The department has also opened two new depots "� one in Sringar (Garhwal) and one at Kashipur (Kumaon).

In addition, Chief Minister N D Tiwari has also provided Rs 23 crore to the state transport department for modernisation programme.