Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday flagged off 20 new air-conditioned UTC mini (Tempo Traveller) vehicles operated by the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) at a ceremony held at the Chief Minister’s Camp Office. Of these, 10 Tempo Travellers will operate on the Dehradun-Mussoorie route and 10 on the Haldwani-Nainital route, which is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion on these busy tourist corridors.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also personally travelled from the Camp Office to GTC Helipad in one of these Tempo Travellers to experience the service.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that these air-conditioned Tempo Travellers will play an important role in strengthening the state’s transport system by offering safe, comfortable, and affordable travel to passengers. He added that this initiative would also boost the state’s economic and tourism activities. If this initiative proves successful, the number of such services will be further increased.
Highlighting the modernisation of the transport sector, the Chief Minister said that the department is now offering services like digital ticketing, online booking, and tracking systems, which are making travel more accessible for the public. He noted that due to sustained efforts, the Transport Corporation has been running in profit for the past three consecutive years.
CM Dhami further informed that electric buses will soon be added to the UTC fleet, with the procurement process already underway. The state government is fully committed to the welfare of its employees and drivers-conductors, whether it is through increasing DA, implementing the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission, or augmenting human resources through fresh recruitments.
On this occasion, Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi, Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal, Principal Secretary and Chairman of Uttarakhand Transport Corporation L. Fanai, UTC MD Reena Joshi and other officials of the Transport Department were present.
