Chief Minister flags off 59 new buses from his official residence.
Nainital division receives 19 buses, while Tanakpur and Dehradun divisions get 20 each.
Providing safe, accessible and convenient transport services in hilly and remote areas is a priority of the state government, says Dhami.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday flagged off 59 new ordinary buses of the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) from his official residence. Compliant with BS-VI emission standards, the new buses will strengthen the state's public transport network and help provide safer, more accessible and convenient travel facilities to passengers.
The Chief Minister said the state government was making continuous efforts to expand and modernise public transport services across Uttarakhand. Providing better connectivity, particularly in hilly and remote areas, remained a key priority.
He emphasised that a robust public transport system, along with road connectivity, was essential to ensure that the benefits of development reached even the remotest villages of the state.
Dhami said the addition of new buses to the corporation's fleet would improve passenger facilities and strengthen connectivity between different regions. The government's objective was to connect every part of Uttarakhand through better transport services so that both local residents and tourists could travel conveniently.
The 59 new buses have been distributed among three divisions of the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation. The Nainital division has been allocated 19 buses, while the Tanakpur and Dehradun divisions have received 20 buses each. These buses will operate on various routes according to requirements, improving public transport facilities for residents.
At present, the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation operates a fleet of 1,276 buses, including 891 buses owned by the corporation and 385 buses operating under contractual arrangements. The addition of the new vehicles is expected to further strengthen its services.
Built to meet modern BS-VI emission standards, the new buses will also contribute positively towards environmental protection by adhering to prescribed emission norms.
The Chief Minister said public transport had particular significance in a mountainous state like Uttarakhand. Improved transport services not only make daily commuting easier but also encourage economic and social activities in remote regions.
He reiterated that the state government was committed to making public transport services safer, more reliable and more convenient for passengers.
Dhami congratulated officials and employees of the Transport Department and the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation on the addition of the new buses. Extending his best wishes to the people of the state, particularly residents of hilly regions, he said the government was committed to ensuring that every area of Uttarakhand had access to better transport facilities and that no region was left behind in the state's development journey.
Transport Minister Pradeep Batra, Social Welfare Minister Khajan Das, MLA Bhupal Ram Tamta, Secretary and Transport Commissioner Ravinath Raman, along with other officials of the Transport Department and Uttarakhand Transport Corporation, were present on the occasion.
