The youth travelling within the State for giving job interviews would be allowed 50 per cent concession in the buses of State roadways. The Chief Minister Harish Rawat made this announcement while speaking in a ceremony organised to mark release of 483 new buses of Uttarakhand Transport Corporation at Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) here on Sunday. He said that the need of high quality modern buses was felt from a long time and it has been now fulfilled. "In the first phase a new fleet is being operated while in the II phase the buses would be equipped with more facilities like Geographical Positioning System (GPS), WiFi, tracking system and other modern gadgets,'' he said. The CM Informed that work plan for setting up a modern workshop should be soon prepared. He said that the roadways should adopt a more efficient work culture and inculcate the habit of earning profits.
Rawat said that the State Government would compensate the State transport corporation for the loss incurred by any policy decision of the State Government but the corporation should bring improvement in work culture and efficiency to earn profits. He said that the State Government has waived off the debts of the State transport corporation. The CM said that the introduction of luxury buses in the roadways can result in profit earnings. He said that to reduce load on buses the State has promoted small buses and maxi cabs. He said that efforts are on to bring in more stability in the administrative framework of the roadways so that focus on better management and service is done. Highlighting the Government schemes to promote tourism, Rawat said that a specific segment of customers have benefited from schemes like Mere Buzurg Mere Teerth.
The Uttarakhand roadways had recently procured 483 new buses at an estimated cost of Rs100 crores. The roadways have also purchased eight luxury buses which would ply on select routes.
Speaking on the occasion, the Forest Minister Dinesh Agarwal raised the issue of lack of amenities at ISBT and demanded that the State Government should take back the management of ISBT from the Ramky Company.
The programme was attended by vice president of State transport corporation board Anil Gupta and Transport secretary CS Napalchayal.