Himachal Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri Celebrates 50 Years of HRTC with New Museum and Future Plans
On Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Mukesh Agnihotri, celebrated the golden jubilee of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) by inaugurating a Wall Exhibition and Museum. This event marks the 50-year journey of HRTC, which has been crucial in connecting the people of Himachal Pradesh despite the challenging terrain and lack of rail or air travel.
Agnihotri highlighted the significant role HRTC has played over the years. He said, “HRTC has a very glorious history. In a state where neither rail travel nor air travel is prevalent, HRTC has shouldered the immense responsibility of transporting people from one place to another efficiently for the last 50 years.”
He announced that on October 2nd, HRTC will complete its 50-year tenure, and on October 12th, a grand celebration will be held with officers, unions, employees, and stakeholders to honor this milestone.
Agnihotri shared that HRTC operates over 3,000 buses across the state and emphasized the importance of preserving its history through the newly established museum. The museum showcases the evolution of HRTC from 1974 to the present, including buses introduced over the years and various awards.
Despite challenges like financial losses and unprofitable routes, HRTC continues to serve the public. Agnihotri stated, “For us, more than profit and loss, it is about the mission of HRTC taking people to their destination. A daily subsidy of Rs. 50 lakhs is given for travel, and we run buses even on loss-making routes.”
Looking ahead, Agnihotri announced plans to modernize HRTC by replacing 2,000 buses within a year and buying 2,700 e-buses. He also mentioned upgrading HRTC’s facilities, including workshops, to improve services and employee welfare.
He urged the public to remain patient during breakdowns and appreciate the critical service HRTC has provided over the last five decades. “It’s not right to create a ruckus every time there is a breakdown. Please look at the broader picture – HRTC has been serving the people of Himachal for 50 years,” he said.
As HRTC moves forward, the focus remains on the safety of property and the well-being of the people. Agnihotri requested the public to help ensure the safety of HRTC property, reflecting the spirit of goodwill and cooperation in Himachal Pradesh.
Doubts Revealed
Deputy CM -: Deputy CM stands for Deputy Chief Minister. He is the second-highest-ranking official in the state government, just below the Chief Minister.
Himachal Pradesh -: Himachal Pradesh is a state in northern India, known for its beautiful mountains and valleys.
Mukesh Agnihotri -: Mukesh Agnihotri is a politician and the Deputy Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.
HRTC -: HRTC stands for Himachal Road Transport Corporation. It is a government-run bus service that helps people travel across Himachal Pradesh.
Wall Exhibition -: A Wall Exhibition is a display of pictures, information, and artifacts on a wall, usually to educate or inform people about a particular topic.
Museum -: A Museum is a place where important objects, artifacts, and exhibits are displayed for people to see and learn about history, culture, or science.
Challenging terrain -: Challenging terrain means difficult land to travel on, like steep mountains and rough roads, which makes transportation harder.
Rail or air travel -: Rail travel means traveling by train, and air travel means traveling by airplane. Himachal Pradesh has limited options for these types of travel.
Modernize -: Modernize means to update something to make it more current and efficient, often by using new technology.
E-buses -: E-buses are electric buses that run on electricity instead of diesel or petrol, making them more environmentally friendly.
