PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Around 100 buses of the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) are currently operating in the ongoing Char Dham Yatra, the general manager (Operations), Kranti Singh said. He informed that the UTC has a fleet of 1,400 buses across the State, including ordinary, AC and Volvo buses. Out of them, 100 buses have been deployed and are being used for the Char Dham Yatra. Of these 100 buses, 40 are from the Kumaon region and 60 from the Garhwal region.
“The buses being used for the Char Dham Yatra are small with a seating capacity of 38, including one seat for the conductor,” he said, adding that all the buses operating in the Yatra have valid green cards.
The deadline for the green card is June 30, but if there is a requirement for buses after June, the period might be extended, if applied for, he said.
Singh further informed that earlier these buses commenced their services on the Yatra routes from Rishikesh. However, to enhance services and ensure their easier availability, the buses are also starting from Haridwar this year following directions from the Transport minister. “The buses for this year’s Char Dham Yatra are available from both Haridwar and Rishikesh,” he said.
He added that the buses operating in the Char Dham Yatra routes have generated revenue. “The UTC has recorded revenue collection of about Rs 1.38 crore in Haridwar and about Rs 4.9 crore in Rishikesh from April 19 to June 15. Last year, when the buses started only from Rishikesh, the revenue earned in May and June was about Rs 2.5 crore,” he informed.
