Latest news with #HimachalRoadTransportCorporation
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Time of India
Kalka-Shimla toy trains to operate till Tara Devi for 14 days amid bridge work
1 2 3 Chandigarh: The iconic Kalka-Shimla toy trains will temporarily run only up to Tara Devi station for a period of 14 days (from May 30 to June 12), due to essential infrastructure work on the railway line. According to the Ambala division of Northern Railway, this decision has been taken in view of the removal and re-installation of a bridge located between Jatog and Summer Hill stations on the Kalka-Shimla rail section. The move is aimed at strengthening and securing the railway infrastructure for long-term safety and efficiency. During this period, four trains will operate between Kalka and Tara Devi, ensuring continued connectivity while keeping passenger safety a top priority. To minimize inconvenience, the railway administration, in coordination with the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), has arranged two special bus services between Tara Devi and Shimla. These buses will operate in sync with the toy train schedule, with a fare of just Rs 22 per passenger. Passengers can board these buses from the National Highway near Lara Devi station, with drop-off at ISBT Shimla. Passengers affected by the temporary change in the train's terminal station have been informed via SMS to their PNR-registered mobile numbers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The four trains which will be affected are Kalka-Shimla Express (52457) departs Kalka at 3.30 am and will reach Tara Devi at 8.04 am; Kalka-Shimla Express (52459) departs Kalka at 7 am and will reach Tara Devi at 11.20 am; Himalayan Queen Express (52455) departs Kalka at 11.55 am and will reach Tara Devi at 4.35 pm and Shivalik Deluxe Express (52451) departs Kalka at 5.45 am and will reach Tara Devi at 10.03 am. The state transport buses will be made available for passengers to reach Shimla at the arrival time of the each train at Tara Devi. For the return journey, Kalka-Shimla Express (52458) departs Tara Devi at 11.33 am and will reach Kalka at 4.15 pm; Shivalik Deluxe Express (52452) departs Tara Devi at 5.57 pm and will reach Kalka at 10.15 pm; Shimla Kalka Express (52460) departs Tara Devi at 3.55 pm and will reach Kalka at 8.50 pm and Himalayan Queen Express (52456) departs Tara Devi at 7.12 pm and will reach Kalka at 11.30 pm.
News18
10-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Bus, Train Services To Border Areas Affected Amid Escalating India-Pakistan Tensions
Last Updated: Bus and train services in border areas of India have been affected due to unprovoked cross-border attacks from Pakistan, which prompted India to close its airspace. Tensions between India and Pakistan have skyrocketed to new heights after repeated cross-border attacks from both sides, prompting an effective and measured response from Indian forces. The tense border situation has affected bus and train services in border areas. Amid escalating tensions, the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has suspended overnight bus halts in Amritsar, Pathankot, and Chandigarh. Officials informed that buses will stop in Hoshiarpur and Jasur after 7 pm. Special buses have been arranged to bring stranded Himachali residents back home. Moreover, Western Railway has suspended several night-time trains passing through Bhuj, Gujarat, en route to Rajasthan, due to security concerns. Some trains have also been short-terminated and cancelled. Train services to key border regions in Punjab, including Amritsar and Firozpur, have been suspended as blackout measures take effect, while long distance connectivity was significantly affected across Gujarat, Rajasthan and Punjab due to Pakistan's aggression.
NDTV
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
Himachal Pradesh Govt To Foster EV Adoption, Subsidy In Place For E-Taxis
Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government has set a target to replace 3,000 petrol and diesel vehicles by EVs this year, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Monday. Presiding over the All India Motor Transport Congress 'National Truck and Bus Meet' in Solan district, he said the government is replacing diesel buses by e-buses in a phased manner to provide clean and green transport to the people of the state, including tourists. "I am happy that this event is not only associated with the sustainable development of Himachal Pradesh, but it also plays a pivotal role in devising strategies for environmental sustainability for the future as well," he said in a statement issued here. "I have been using an e-vehicle for quite some time, which is very economical", he said and added that "this year the government has set a target of converting 3,000 petrol and diesel vehicles into e-vehicles." The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has issued tenders to purchase 297 electric buses at a cost of Rs 412 crore, and charging stations are also being set up at bus stations at a cost of Rs 124 crore. In addition to this, 500 e-buses will be purchased in 2025-26, he said. Sukhu said that six green corridors have been constructed in the state and soon 41 additional charging stations would be set up in these corridors. The present government has provided 100 per cent exemption in the road tax and 50 per cent exemption in the special road tax on registration of e-commercial vehicles. With the aim of providing self-employment opportunities to the youth, the government is going to provide new permits for 1,000 bus routes to the private sector. The government is providing subsidies of up to 40 per cent on e-vehicles (buses or tempo travellers), on these routes, and efforts were afoot to fully electrify the public transport sector in near future, Sukhu said. The chief minister said the state government has set a target of making Himachal Pradesh a green energy state by March 2026, and to promote e-vehicles in the state, EVs will be used in all government offices in Hamirpur, his home district, in the first phase. Himachal Pradesh is one of the most admired and sought-after tourist destinations in the country with its pristine beauty. As high footfall of visitors also affects the environment, the state government is strengthening the tourism infrastructure with special attention on environmental protection and sustainable development. Sukhu said the government has launched Rs 680 crore Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgar Startup Yojana wherein 50 per cent subsidy is being provided for the purchase of e-taxis to the youth. These e-taxis have also been attached to various government departments, corporations, boards and other institutions. Under the e-taxi scheme, so far 50 e-taxis have been attached to government departments, and 50 more will be approved before May 10, he said. PTI BPL ANU ANU
Indian Express
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
2000, '02, J&K terror's old ghost: Pahalgam attack during high-profile US visit
WITH US Vice-President J D Vance in India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on an overseas trip to Saudi Arabia, the biggest terrorist attack targeting civilians since the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack that has killed more than two dozen civilians in Pahalgam in Kashmir Tuesday frames one of the most significant internal security challenges for New Delhi — one with external ramifications. Indeed, since August 2019, after the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked, the record surge in tourists to the state was seen as a bellwether for normalcy in the Valley. Given how tourism fuelled local employment and businesses, this was also seen as a pointer to a more prosperous future. Yet, the Pahalgam attack revived ghosts of the past — and a terror playbook that, security officials said, is all too familiar. For one, terrorist attacks on civilians while foreign leaders and officials were in the country were seen as a ploy to aim maximum international publicity. Visiting US Vice-President JD Vance posted his condolences on X: 'Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India. Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack.' Calling it 'deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir', US President Donald Trump said: 'The United States stands strong with India against terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are you with all!' On the night of March 20, 2000, the massacre of 36 Sikh villagers in Chittisinghpora village of Anantnag district in Jammu & Kashmir by Pakistan-sponsored militants came just ahead of US President Bill Clinton's visit from March 21-25. Then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had raised Pakistan's involvement with Clinton. At that time, Clinton toured Jaipur and Agra while Secretary of State Madeline Albright and Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott had remained in Delhi to talk to Indian officials. Two years later, when US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Christina B Rocca was visiting India, a terrorist attack took place on May 14, 2002, near Kaluchak in J&K. Three militants attacked a Himachal Road Transport Corporation bus from Manali to Jammu and killed seven people. They then entered the family quarters of the Army and fired indiscriminately, killing 23 people, including 10 children, eight women and five Army personnel. The age of the children killed ranged from four to 10 years. Thirty-four people were injured in the attack. The Pahalgam attack also comes a week after Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir's statement that Kashmir is Islamabad's 'jugular vein' which was met with a sharp riposte from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Addressing the Overseas Pakistani Convention in Islamabad last week, General Munir had said: 'Our stance is absolutely clear, it was our jugular vein, it will be our jugular vein, we will not forget it. We will not leave our Kashmiri brothers in their heroic struggle.' 'Our religions are different, our customs are different, our traditions are different, our thoughts are different, our ambitions are different. That was the foundation of the two-nation theory that was laid there. We are two nations, we are not one nation,' Munir had said in one of his strongest statements in the recent past. Responding to questions on Munir's remarks, MEA's official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Thursday: 'How can anything foreign be in a jugular vein? This is a Union Territory of India. Its only relationship with Pakistan is the vacation of illegally occupied territories by that country.' With the PM in Saudi Arabia, it is expected that the Pahalgam attack will be part of the conversation between Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. 'We consider Saudi Arabia as a force of positivity and stability in the region. As maritime neighbours, India and Saudi Arabia share a natural interest in safeguarding peace and stability in the region…We have seen steady progress in security cooperation. This includes areas such as counterterrorism, combating extremism, disrupting terror financing and tackling drug trafficking, Modi said, in an interview to Arab News ahead of the visit.
