The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) would induct 300 new buses in its fleet to provide better facilities to people, Transport minister G S Bali said today.
Forty-two seater buses would be acquired in place of longer buses as roads were narrow in interior areas and more efficiency in functioning of HRTC would be ensured, Bali told reporters here.
Bali said the stoppage of long route buses would be monitored and it would be ensured that they stop only at identified places where facilities like toilets, good sanitary condition and hygienic food at reasonable rates are available.
He said the ill-fated bus which plunged into Beas river near Kullu two days back was being driven by the son of the owner, who jumped out of the vehicle before it fell into the river.
The driver has been arrested and a magisterial enquiry ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident, he added.
Bali, who also holds the portfolio of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, said that the government has decided to give three pulses and mustard oil to Above Poverty Line (APL) ration card holders at subsidised rates.
He informed that the Union government has sanctioned five new polytechnics at Paonta, Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, Manali and Barthi and added that classes in these polytechnics would be started from current academic year.
Bali also said that the government has granted recognition to hydro-engineering college at Pragati Nagar in upper Shimla region.
