Facing the twin problems of traffic congestion on the roads and increasing vehicular pollution, the Himachal Pradesh government is mulling to start water transport in four major reservoirs in the state.
"The Inland Waterways Authority of India was already in Shimla to hold high-level talks with top brass of the transport department and give a final shape to the project submitted to the Centre," Transport Minister G S Bali said.
The proposal included the Chamera Dam, Govindsagar Dam, Pong Dam and Pandoh Dam and once the proposals are through, the cost of transportation would be reduced drastically, traffic on the roads would ease and pollution levels would come down, he said.
Himachal Pradesh today rolled-out a new plan to use its potential waterways as an alternate mode of transport to cut down the number of vehicles on the hill roads, which are getting increasingly choked, and resulting in environmental pollution.
Bali said that he has discussed the proposals with Union Shipping and Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and the latter was quite enthusiastic as Himachal Pradesh would be the first state to embark on such a venture which could be followed in other states, he told mediapersons.
The state Transport Minister said that the process of phasing out more than nine-year-old fleet of buses of Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) would start from the next year and 25 electric buses and 50 small electric buses being provided by the Centre would be on the roads soon.
When asked about the plan to start bike-taxis, Bali said, "The scheme permitting bikes to be used as taxis would be finalised soon," while the HRTC would also upgrade its Volvo service by adding 15 new buses.
Bali said that his liabilities in HRTC stand to the tune of Rs 500 crore but now the situation has improved due to efficient management.
Increasing the mileage and making optimal use of buses and manpower, the Corporation had been able to clear arrears of retired employees to the tune of Rs 200 crore and more money would be released soon.
Bali said that the government was providing subsidised ration to all categories of families, including the Above Poverty Line families and mustard oil, Rajmash, gram and black massr (pulses) are being provided at the rate of Rs 55, Rs 30, Rs 35 and Es 45 per kg.
