HRTC Bus Relocation Sparks Public Outcry in Himachal Pradesh
Resentment is mounting among residents of the Jaswan-Pragpur Assembly constituency in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, over the alleged neglect of the Sansarpur Terrace depot operated by the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC). Locals claim that several buses in good running condition have been transferred from this depot to the Dehra depot under political pressure, leaving their area with obsolete and unreliable vehicles.
Allegations of Political Favoritism
The controversy centers on accusations that the relocation benefits the Dehra constituency, represented by Kamlesh Thakur, wife of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. In contrast, Jaswan-Pragpur is represented by BJP legislator Bikram Singh Thakur, who has sharply criticized the move. He alleges that the state government is giving step-motherly treatment to BJP-held seats by deliberately moving well-maintained buses to Dehra.
Commuters in Jaswan-Pragpur report that after the shift, only old and rickety buses operate on various routes in the region. These vehicles frequently break down, causing daily hardships for passengers. Regular travelers like Vijay, Asha Devi, Sanjay, and Savita Devi express frustration, noting that buses often fail to reach destinations on time due to mechanical issues, disrupting services and posing safety risks.
MLA Issues Ultimatum Over Depot Issues
Bikram Singh Thakur has highlighted additional problems at the Sansarpur Terrace depot. He points out that the long-route AC deluxe bus service from Pathankot to New Delhi via Sansarpur, Kotla Behad, and Talwara has been suspended for five months due to poor management by the HRTC's technical wing. The MLA has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government, threatening protests by BJP workers if the depot's functioning is not improved.
According to Thakur, the Jaswan-Pragpur depot has faced an acute shortage of operational buses and staff for three years. He claims that several HRTC employees have been sent on deputation to the Dehra depot under political pressure, bringing the Sansarpur bus depot to a virtual standstill. Drivers and conductors are also struggling due to what he describes as the government's short-sighted policies.
HRTC Official Denies Allegations
In response, Ayush Kumar, Regional Manager of the HRTC Depot in Dehra, denies that buses were shifted under political pressure. He states that the AC deluxe bus service on the Pathankot-New Delhi route was restored a few days ago, contradicting the MLA's claims about the suspension. However, this has done little to assuage the concerns of residents in Jaswan-Pragpur, who continue to grapple with unreliable public transport.
The situation underscores broader issues in HRTC's management and resource allocation, with political tensions exacerbating public discontent. As the ultimatum deadline approaches, all eyes are on the state government's response to address these grievances and restore efficient bus services in the affected regions.
