BJP Chief Spokesperson Rakesh Jamwal Urges State Government to Strengthen HRTC, Review Route Closures.
Shimla:
BJP chief spokesperson and Sundernagar MLA Rakesh Jamwal has urged the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Himachal Pradesh government to take steps to strengthen the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), particularly in rural and remote areas.
Raising concerns over the corporation’s financial position and route closures, Jamwal said the government should review its approach to public transport and ensure that essential services are not affected. He referred to figures presented in the Assembly showing an accumulated HRTC loss of Rs 2,272.24 crore.
According to the government’s response, 282 HRTC routes were closed over the past three years up to August 1, 2026, while services on 15 other routes were reduced. Jamwal noted that 196 of the discontinued routes served rural and remote areas.
He said HRTC should not be assessed only on profitability, as bus services remain an important lifeline for people in the hills. He suggested improving bus maintenance, ensuring availability of spare parts and mechanics, repairing roads and reviewing routes based on local demand.
Jamwal also called for a long-term plan to improve HRTC finances while maintaining reliable public transport services, especially for rural communities.
