Punjab Newsline | Shimla
Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) will operate 132 additional buses from Delhi, Chandigarh and Baddi to different parts of Himachal Pradesh on Saturday to manage the festive rush ahead of Diwali.
Of the additional buses, 49 will operate from Delhi, 63 from Chandigarh and 20 from Baddi. The special arrangement has been made to facilitate people travelling home for the festival.
Earlier, on November 6, HRTC also operated 134 additional bus services from these three locations, including 42 from Delhi, 69 from Chandigarh and 23 from Baddi.
The corporation will also arrange buses on demand. If more than 35 passengers are waiting at a particular location, HRTC will send an additional bus to facilitate their journey.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said all local HRTC bus services across Himachal Pradesh would remain suspended from 5 pm on November 8 (Diwali) until 8 am on November 9. However, special buses will operate on important long-distance routes from 5 pm on November 8, depending on passenger demand.
These services will connect Delhi with key destinations in Himachal Pradesh, including Shimla, Dharamshala, Kullu, Mandi and Chamba, among other locations.
HRTC has prepared the special schedule keeping in mind the expected increase in passenger traffic during the festive season.
Meanwhile, Himachal Police and fire services have also been placed on alert across the state to ensure security and respond promptly to any fire-related emergencies during Diwali.
