HRTC employees protest, go on strike in Solan

Tribune News Service
Solan, July 24

Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation (HRTC) employees here today went on a strike in protest against the transfer of a Regional Manager, HRTC, Shimla, who had taken up the issue of an unhealthy competition with private bus operators. They added that their strike would continue till the transfer was not revoked.

The employees gathered at the bus stand and closed the gates. They did not allow any private bus to enter the stand; HRTC buses also did not ply. They said, “The private bus operators are not adhering to the timetable given to them by the Regional Transport Authority”.

They alleged that the private operators should not be permitted to run their buses within minutes of the HRTC bus service, as this was leading to clashes between them everyday. The protesters shouted slogans condemning the private bus operators. They said that their strike would continue till the transfer of the Regional Manager was not revoked and the issue of timetable was not resolved.

The agitating employees said, “The HRTC employees will continue with their strike If the private bus operators do not mend their ways. The timetable should be displayed at the bus stand as the private operators are not allowing them to ply their buses”.

The protesters alleged that the private operators indulge in highhandedness and stop their buses at unauthorised stops at Thodo Ground, and Kotla Nallah in Solan. Through their network, these operators keep tabs on the HRTC buses. They had created an unhealthy competition by jumping the timetable and also by plying their buses ahead of HRTC buses.

Cases of private operators thrashing HRTC employees have also come to light and this is a cause for concern.