Zero-tolerance to accidents, says Govind

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 21

Facing acute shortage of drivers and conductors, the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) would no longer engage them in other jobs and all such employees would be assigned the jobs for which they have been appointed, Transport minister Govind Singh Thakur informed the state assembly today.

Replying to discussion on increase in accidents of HRTC and private buses initiated by Harshvardhan Chauhan, Congress MLA from Shillai under Rule 130, he said that the government was following policy of zero tolerance towards bus accidents as 95.05 per cent of 12,175 accidents during August 1, 2015 and August 16, 2019 were caused due to human error.

Only 4.50 per cent accidents occurred due to mechanical failure or bad weather and 3.89 per cent accidents were attributed to drunken driving, he said adding that 674 drivers being recruited by HRTC would have to undergo training of one-and-a-half month to prevent accidents due to human error and the process of recruitment of 674 drivers and 693 conductors would be completed by March 2020.

Thakur further said that in future the contractors would be held responsible for accidents caused by black spots adding that there are 167 sensitive black spots out of 17 have been improved.

The HRTC has purchased 75 electric buses while process is on to purchase 100 more buses and 200 ordinary buses would be added to HRTC fleet.