SHIMLA -7 October, 2026
HRTC to be provided 1,500 e-buses: CM
- Una to become a fully electric-bus district: Chief Minister
- Launches ‘Challan2 Pay’ initiative
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today launched the ‘Challan2 Pay’ initiative, under which people can now make secure, convenient and real-time digital payments against challans on the spot. The facility will save people the inconvenience of visiting government offices to make payments, enabling them to pay challan amounts digitally at the place of issuance.
Under the new system, Point-of-Sale (POS) machines provided by Axis Bank were being made available to officers of the Transport Department. The initiative is not only aimed at facilitating payments but will also ensure greater transparency and accountability in the collection of challan amounts. A digital record of every transaction will be maintained and the amount collected will be directly deposited into the state treasury. Besides reducing cash transactions, the system will also help prevent the possibility of revenue leakage.
Reviewing the functioning of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) thereafter, the Chief Minister said that the state government would provide 1,500 new e-buses to the Corporation in the coming period. He directed that the new buses should have a minimum range of 350 kilometres and be suitable for the hilly terrain of Himachal Pradesh.
He said that 297 e-buses had already been provided and their number would be increased further to make HRTC more self-reliant. He added that the state government was also considering introducing hydrogen-powered buses. In the coming period, 100 green hydrogen buses and 100 Super Deluxe buses would also be procured, he added.
Sh. Sukhu directed the authorities to accelerate the development of e-charging infrastructure across the state. He said that 30 e-vehicles would be provided to HRTC officers. He also directed that Una district and the Regional Manager (RM) office at Nalagarh be made fully operational with electric buses.
Chairing the review meeting of the Transport Department, the Chief Minister said that the department’s revenue had been witnessing a continuous increase. The department’s revenue, which stood at Rs. 510 crore in 2021-22, had increased to Rs. 995 crore in 2025-26. He assured all possible support from the state government for filling vacant posts in the department.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, while speaking in the meeting, said that HRTC was the lifeline of Himachal Pradesh, providing transport facilities to people even in remote and inaccessible areas. He said that the operation of e-buses was an important step towards environmental protection and was also helping HRTC achieve economic savings. He said that the operation of e-buses was resulting in savings of Rs. 18.19 per kilometre for HRTC.
Additional Chief Secretary Onkar Chand Sharma, Director Transport Neeraj Kumar, Managing Director, HRTC Shivam Kumar, State Head Axis Bank Varun Sharma and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
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CM dedicates development projects worth Rs. 108.16 crore in Shimla
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of three development projects worth Rs. 108.16 crore in Shimla. He inaugurated the improvement and stabilisation works undertaken at the historic Ridge Maidan in Shimla at a cost of Rs. 66.81 crore to address the issue of subsidence and strengthen the area.
He also inaugurated a parking and shopping complex at Old Bus Stand near Shri Gurudwara Sahib Shimla, constructed at a cost of Rs. 6.85 crore. The facility will provide improved amenities to local residents, shopkeepers and people associated with the transport business, besides helping ease parking-related problems in the area.
The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of a residential complex for employees of the Shimla Municipal Corporation at Pashu Padav near Baluganj. The complex will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 34.50 crore.
He said that Shimla has a distinct identity on the world tourism map and that enhancing its beauty while strengthening its infrastructure remains a priority of the state government. He said that the previous BJP government had laid foundation stones for various projects without making adequate budgetary provisions, whereas the present Congress government had made the necessary budgetary allocations to ensure their completion. He said that the Circular Road in Shimla is being widened to a double lane to address traffic congestion in the city and provide relief to both tourists and local residents from traffic jams.
Sh. Sukhu further said that the state government is constructing a modern shopping complex at Sabzi Mandi at a cost of Rs. 600 crore. In addition, underground utility ducts are being constructed from Chhota Shimla to the CTO at a cost of Rs. 150 crore. He said that the state government was taking systematic steps to develop Shimla while preserving and enhancing its natural beauty and ensuring better civic amenities for residents and visitors.
MLA Harish Janartha, Mayor Surinder Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, Councillors, Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap, SP Gaurav Singh, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Sachin Kanwal and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.