Thousands of people in Shimla faced major inconvenience on Monday as private bus operators went on an indefinite strike. The strike was called over their demand to restrict the entry and exit of HRTC buses in Shimla that come from more than 40 km away, along with other pending issues.
Hundreds of private buses were parked outside the RTO office in Shimla as a mark of protest. The bus operators raised slogans against the HRTC, alleging that their long-standing demands had been ignored. With private buses off the road, people in the city struggled to reach their destinations.
Many people used private vehicles and taxis, while most, including schoolchildren, college students, and office-goers, were seen waiting for government buses. Some commuters even walked long distances to reach their destinations because of the shortage of public transport.
The private bus operators have been asking that HRTC buses running on long routes should not be allowed to enter Shimla, as they cause traffic congestion and affect the timings and number of local trips. They also alleged that HRTC buses pick up local passengers within the city, leading to financial losses for private operators in the city.
In addition, the operators also pointed out that some HRTC buses used as school buses also carry regular passengers, violating earlier orders. They said a notification regarding this issue had been issued in 2011, but neither HRTC nor some private operators were following it.
The protesting bus operators said they would continue their protest until their demands are met. Meanwhile, RTO Shimla, Anil Sharma, said that discussions were held with the HRTC Managing Director, who has now ordered a ban on the entry of HRTC buses coming from beyond 40 km into Shimla.
However, Sharma added that there seemed to be a misunderstanding between the private operators and HRTC, which must be resolved through talks. Around 106 private buses operate daily in Shimla, providing vital transport services to residents. To manage the situation, HRTC deployed additional buses in the city to ensure people faced minimum inconvenience.
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