Himachal seeks smaller buses under JNNURM

The Congress government and the opposition BJP in Himachal Pradesh would jointly urge the central government to provide smaller buses under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) as they are more roadworthy.

The issue was raised during Question Hour in the assembly by leader of opposition Prem Kumar Dhumal, who said that the low-floor buses were very long in size and did not fit the hill state's topography.

"The government must take it up with the central government to provide smaller buses under JNNURM, keeping with the topography of the state. The bigger buses would not be roadworthy for Himachal Pradesh," the two-time chief minister said.

Transport Minister G.S. Bali said these buses were the size of Volvo buses and could ply on some plain roads.

He said 800 buses have been sanctioned under the JNNURM for the state. Out of these, the bigger buses were for city transport and plain areas, while for other parts there were mini buses.

He said the centre had sanctioned Rs.202.11 crore to the state for purchasing buses. The proposal for the buses was approved by the previous UPA government in October 2013 but Rs.90 crore was received by the state government only recently.

Meanwhile, the assembly adjourned sine die after the seven-day winter session here.