Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Transport and Technical Education, GS Bali said 60 women would be recruited in the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) as “Mahila Parivahan Mittar”. Addressing media persons, he said these women would be imparted with self-defence training and would regulate miscreants from harassing women passengers. He stated that any woman, who clears the training and holds a valid heavy vehicle licence for three years, would be inducted as driver.
The minister said the HRTC would purchase 50 Volvo buses this year and routes such as Manali-Jaipur and Dharamsala-Srinagar would be launched using these new buses. He added that luxury Tempo Traveller services would be launched soon for the Chandigarh airport and railway station from Shimla, Dalhousie, Dharamsala and Manali. He said the HRTC would acquire seven such mini coaches and these would provide luxurious transport facilities.He said 400 new drivers had been inducted in the HRTC and 1,300 students were being imparted with skill development training.
He added that a Volvo driving school would be soon started at Kangra in which the aspirants could seek training to drive Volvo buses. He added that seven new routes of buses would be started in Kullu district within one week. He further added that “Mudrika” bus service would be started in the Lug and Bhekali valleys.He stated that renovation of Manali and Manikaran bus stations was being prioritised and the authorities had been directed to follow up with the Forest Department to seek the clearance pending since long.
