Himachal Transport Minister GS Bali on Friday said that expansion of the State transport fleet would be done soon to ensure the convenient and comfortable travelling of the commuters.
"Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) would soon purchase 300 new buses in addition to 16 modern luxury buses for which process had been initiated," he said, while presiding over a meeting of Bus Purchasing Committee of HRTC here.
Bali said that the performance of the Volvo luxury buses by HRTC was satisfactory. He said that these buses are comfortable and safe thereby demand of these buses was increasing day-by-day.
The Transport Minister said that 16 new luxury would be plied between Capitals of other States and important religious places, which would encourage tourism in the State.
He said that the fleet of Volvo buses would be increased to 50.
Bali said that 300 new buses would be purchased of 30,37 and 40 seats and the small seated buses would be plied in the far flung and difficult terrain regions of the state.
He said that the buses purchased under JNNURM would ensure comfortable and safe travel in the cities. He instructed the authorities to ensure comfortable seats and thickness of the frame should be of 7 minimum.
The Transport Minister instructed the members of the committee that the buses bought in wet lease should be provided with the HRTC drivers. He said that the safety of the passengers is the priority of the State Government which should be ensured at all cost.
Managing Director, HRTC Ashok Tiwari, Executive Director RK Gautam, General Manager HK Gupta and other senior officers along with non official members were also present at the meeting.