Himachal Expanding Public Road Transport System

Y.S. Rana

The writer is a Hamirpur based Himachali settled in Chandigarh

Developing an efficient public transport system which can reduce congestion and curb air pollution level does not seem to figure in the priority list of any government whether it is at the centre or in the state. Though on paper the government claims pushing for public transport improvement, yet nine percent transport infrastructure across the country sees continuous decline. Bus fleet in number of states is declining year after year. But on the other hand, Himachal Pradesh has not only good road connectivity but also has 385 buses per million of population in 2016 as compared to 310 in 2014-15.

Haryana has 164 buses per million population in 2016 against 153 in 2014 as compared to Punjab’s 99 buses per million in 2016 against 91 in 2014. States such as Bihar has two buses per one lakh population, Orissa has 11 buses, West Bengal 24 and Uttar Pradesh has 48 with dismal record of transport sector.

There are 1.4 buses per 1000 people across the country compared to 8.6 buses in Thailand. Delhi has just 0.27 buses per 1000 population and at the bottom of the list. However, none of the states meet the standard norm of 400 buses per 10 lakh population except Chandigarh and Andaman and Nicobar. Andaman and Nicobar tops the list with 704 buses per 10 lakh population followed by Chandigarh with 468 buses.

Himachal Pradesh though has less buses against global standard of 400 buses, yet it has good transport sector compared to its neighbouring states. In just one year, number of buses per one lakh population has reduced from 131 to 118. In a recent study, it is found that country’s bus sector is certainly under performing. The country does not have enough buses to run on their routes and cater to their citizens, leaving them at the mercy of private vehicles. Country’s capital Delhi has seen 25.5% decline in bus fleets in the past five years while Himachal Pradesh has acquired bus fleets of 3180 as of now.

As per official data, the state transport department runs 100 Volvo buses on different routes inside the state and to other States. The number of regular buses on the other hand has increased to over 3150 that make the HRTC strongest state transport unit across the country.

Flaunts More Buses Per Million of Population

* Himachal has 385 buses per million of population in 2016

* Haryana and Punjab have 164 and 99 buses per million population respectively in 2016

* Bihar has two buses, Orissa has 11 buses and West Bengal has 24 buses per one lakh population

* Delhi has just 0.27 buses per 1000 population and sits at the bottom of the list

* No state meets the standard norm of 400 buses per 10 lakh population except Chandigarh and Andaman and Nicobar.

* Andaman and Nicobar tops the list with 704 buses per 10 lakh population followed by Chandigarh with 468 buses.

* There are 1.4 buses per 1000 people across the country compared to 8.6 buses in Thailand.

First Hill State To Run Electric Buses

Himachal Pradesh has also become first hill state to get electric bus that runs on Manali-Rohtang Highway. The department has initiated a plan to add 50 more such buses that will be delivered to the department shortly. The government has also chalked out a plan to add more and more electric buses in the next 10 years.

60% Villages Connected With Metalled Roads

The official of Department of Transport said that the state government has felt importance of public transport and roads to its development. “State has outperformed in these fields and these made one of the most backward hill states as the most impressive frontrunner in the matter of development,” says he. Over 60% villages of the state have been connected with metalled roads. Road connectivity and good public transport infrastructure have been a priority for the state government especially to tribal areas for tourism and economic development and now are singing a different hospitality tune. Notably, the study also revealed that the Indian cities buses are paying more taxes than cars. It is 2.6 times higher per vehicle kilometre for public transport buses than cars.

Himachal-o-Meter

The state’s ups and downs this week

1.54 Crore Tourists Visit Himachal

Shimla: The figure of tourists visiting Himachal Pradesh has touched close to 1.54 crore mark. However this figure could witness an incremental jump owing to heavy rush of tourists during Christmas and New Year celebrations. Thousands of tourists thronged the hill state to celebrate Christmas and New Year at Shimla, Kullu-Manali, McLeodganj, Dalhopusie and Kasauli. It is expected that the figure of tourists influx to Himachal will witness phenomenal jump this year as compared to yesteryears. According to Dr. Manoj Sharma, Additional Director, Tourism a total of 153.82 lakh tourists, including 150.05 lakh indigenous and 3.77 lakh foreign toursists, visited Himachal till September this year. Notably, tourism department gives a significant contribution of about 60% to state gross domestic product. The efforts are on to increase this contribution from tourism department through planned and phased development.

42% Less Rainfall During Winter Season

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh has recorded less than the normal rainfall during present winter season. The continuous change in temperature due to it has left orchardists a worried lot. They are worried that production could hit a new low if these conditions prevails for a longer period. The hill state witnessed 42% less rainfall than normal during this winter season starting from October 1st to December 28th. However the rainfall recorded this winter season is more as compared to last winter season. The state in the last winter season recorded 92% less rinfall as compared to normal rainfall. However heavy rainfall and snowfall from December last to January month compensated for that loss during last winter season. The meteorological department has predicted clear sky till January 1st, 2018 that has increased worries lines of farmers and orchardists.

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