Dehradun: The Uttarakhand Transport Corporation is continuously focusing on expanding its roadways fleet to overcome its losses and provide convenient facilities to passengers. In this regard, the Transport Corporation is going to receive 100 new BS-6 model buses by November 30th. Efforts have been underway since last year. Despite the 100 buses received by the Transport Corporation, the number of buses on the roadways is still low. Because the Transport Corporation annually removes worn-out or obsolete vehicles, the Transport Corporation is preparing a proposal to purchase 200 more buses, which will be submitted to the government soon.
In addition, the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation has requested a budget of ₹665 crore for the purchase of 10 electric buses and 1,000 new BS-6 standard buses for the Ardh Kumbh. ₹350 crore is proposed to be provided from the Ardh Kumbh Fund, and the remaining amount is proposed to be provided through self-financing and bank loans. In fact, millions of pilgrims are expected to attend the Ardh Kumbh in 2027. In order to provide accessible transportation to passengers, the Transport Department has placed a demand before the government to purchase new buses.
The proposal is currently under consideration at the government level. It is expected that the Transport Corporation may receive approximately 700 buses from the Kumbh Fund. Currently, the corporation’s fleet consists of approximately 850 buses. However, the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation is facing numerous challenges, primarily the decommissioning of old roadways buses and the corporation’s growing revenue losses year after year. However, the Transport Corporation has also purchased numerous buses in recent years.
The buses purchased by the corporation in 2016 and 2019 will complete their service life in 2027. This is why the Transport Department is submitting a proposal to the government to purchase 200 additional buses, in addition to the 100 buses received by November 30th. Transport Corporation Managing Director Reena Joshi stated that the corporation’s efforts are not only to expand its fleet but also to include better-quality buses. In this regard, the corporation received 130 buses in November 2024. This year too, the corporation will receive 100 buses by November 30th. Processing for this is underway. Additionally, some AC buses acquired on contract will also be received by the end of this month. Consequently, older buses in the Transport Corporation are being phased out periodically. He also stated that in addition to the 100 buses the Transport Corporation will receive this month, a proposal is being prepared to purchase 200 more buses, which will be submitted to the government soon. Furthermore, the Ardh Kumbh Mela is scheduled to be held in Haridwar in 2027, and in view of this, the Transport Corporation has requested 700 new buses from the Kumbh Fund. Discussions are underway at a high level. Therefore, it is expected that the Transport Corporation will receive 700 new buses from the Kumbh Fund.
