Bali appeals to private bus operators to withdraw strike

Himachal Pradesh government today appealed to private bus operators to withdraw their strike call for August 26 while assuring them that their genuine demands would be considered.
Asking private bus operators to discuss their demands with the principal secretary and the director of the transport department, Transport Minister GS Bali said that the government was not averse to addressing genuine concerns.
He further said that the bus operators may approach him in case the talks at the official level failed to bear desired results.
Private operators have, among other things, called for a 40 per cent increase in fares, Bali said, adding that the government would consider their demands sympathetically.

Bali said that given how 3,000 state and 2,100 private buses plied in the state, the government could not allow a "dual fare system" by revising the fares of only the latter.
Bali revealed that the finances of the state transport department were in a pathetic condition and said it had suffered losses to the tune of Rs 380 crore during the previous BJP government in HP.

"(But) we are trying to improve it by taking required measures," Bali added.
Meanwhile, Bali said that Volvo buses have been introduced on some new routes, including the 'Temple Express' from Jwalamukhi to Delhi, Palampur to Delhi and Dharamsala to Delhi.

Air-conditioned buses were plying on several new routes while old deluxe buses, which were being operated between Shimla, Dharamsala and Manali, have been replaced by new buses, Bali said, adding that a new transport policy for HP was on the anvil.