Haryana approves new Transport Policy

Chandigarh, November 19, 2015: Haryana Transport Minister Mr Krishan Lal Pawar said that the new Transport Policy has been approved in order to provide efficient and economical bus transport service to passengers on different routes in the State. The Haryana Roadways would have the entire operational control on these buses, he added.

            Mr Pawar who was addressing a press conference here today said that for the past quite some time, people of the State have been raising demand to start bus service on different routes. To cater to the need of passengers, the State Government has decided to avail the services of buses of private operators in the fleet of Haryana Roadways.

            He said that at present the Haryana Roadways has a fleet of 4200 buses and this would be increased to 5000 by the end of this year. While the orders for the purchase of 300 new buses have already been given, the remaining buses would be purchased later on, he added.          

            In reply to another question, the Minister said that all out efforts would be made to bring down the losses of the State Roadways. He said that besides increasing the number of buses, process is on for the recruitment of 725 new drivers and 636 other technical staff. Apart from this, requisition has been sent to Haryana Staff Selection Commission for recruitment on regular basis.

            On being asked about the old permits holders, he said that permits to be given under the new scheme would also be of Haryana Roadways. Apart from this, the conductor would be provided by the State Roadways. He said that preference would be given to old permit-holders of buses for hire purposes provided that they apply in the e-tendering process. He said that the new scheme would be applicable for standard buses and added that Rs 50,000 and Rs 35,000 would have to be deposited as security by private bus operators for the operation of 52 seater buses and 32 seater Mini buses respectively. The colour of these buses would also be similar to those of Haryana Roadways, he added.

            In reply to another question, Mr Pawar said that though initially there is a proposal to hire 500 private buses under the scheme, the number of buses would be increased according the demand of the passengers. He said that everyday about 17 lakh passengers travel in the buses of State Roadways as against the demand of 40 lakh passengers. As the Haryana Roadways is already reeling under loss of Rs 450 crore, it would not have been possible to purchase 10,000 new buses in one go. We would make efforts to gradually reduce the losses, he asserted.

            He said that additional five busses each would be provided in 18 Driving Training Centres of the Haryana Roadways in the State so that maximum youth could be imparted training. At present, online applications were invited for the training and in some training centres, there is a waiting list of about two months.

            In reply to another question, he said that strict action would be taken against those found using fake driving license. He said that directions have already been given to change the colour of buses of Haryana Roadways in the workshop before their auction. Apart from this, officers of Regional Transport Authority (RTA) have been directed to keep a vigil on overloaded vehicles. He said that the Tribunal had given one year time to the owners of oversized vehicles to get size of their vehicle corrected as per the scheduled dimensions which is going to expire in January, 2016.

            Asked about the security measures in the buses, he said that proper law and order situation is prevailing in the State. He said that GPRS system is being installed in the buses for their monitoring. He said that free regular bus facility for the girl students would be extended upto the colleges also.

            Giving details about the new policy, he said that State Transport Department will hire buses on per kilometer basis. Maximum five buses will be hired from any person, firm, company, registered society or any other legal unit. The process of online e-tendering will be adopted for hiring buses so as to ensure complete transparency.        

        Under the new policy, it will be the responsibility of the owner to ensure that the drivers deployed on the buses during the lease period are having  valid driving licence for driving Heavy Passenger Vehicles on plains as well as on Hill roads.  He would get the antecedents of the drivers and their driving license verified from the concerned district authorities/licensing authorities before they are allowed to be put on duty.

        The owner shall be responsible for keeping the hired bus roadworthy by ensuring repair and maintenance of the bus. The leased bus will not be used by the owner for carrying passengers for him/her or on behalf of others or for any other purpose under any circumstances.

          The State Transport Department will have rights to levy penalties for delayed/early departure of bus, missing of trip, non-providing bus for operation, non-stoppage of bus at authorised bus stops for dropping and picking up passengers, operation of bus via bye pass/over bridge having prescribed bus stop at ground level, non-stoppage of bus for checking on being given a signal by Inspector/sub-inspector of State Transport Department, etc. The State Transport department will have right to collect fare for passengers and goods carried by the bus and owner of the bus shall have no right over this income or fare charged from the passengers travelling in the bus.

                 Haryana Transport Commissioner Mr Chander Parkash and Director General Transport Department Mr R.C Bidhan were also present on this occasion. / (Sk Vyas, Jalandhar)