Haroli/Una, August 2: Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri inaugurated the state's first e-bus depot of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) in Haroli and the HRTC regional office on Sunday. On this occasion, he launched an e-charging station, flagged off four new bus services, and announced the commencement of the Haroli–Shri Chintpurni bus service.
Addressing a public meeting held at the Haroli bus stand complex, the Deputy Chief Minister stated that out of the 297 electric buses being inducted into the state fleet, 115 have been allocated to the Hamirpur parliamentary constituency. He informed that 20 electric buses would operate from the state's first e-bus depot in Haroli, while a total of 50 electric buses would run across the Una district. He noted that this would significantly strengthen the local transport system and connectivity.
The Deputy Chief Minister remarked that following the construction of a modern bus stand just two years ago, Haroli has today received another significant gift in the form of a regional office and the state's first e-bus depot. With this, the long-cherished dream of the local residents regarding an e-bus depot has also been realized. He added that with the expansion of modern transport facilities, Haroli is emerging as a key hub for public transport in the state.
**E-Bus Depot to be Built in Kangra Too**
Shri Agnihotri mentioned that e-bus depots are also being established in Theog, Nahan, and Nadaun. Acceding to a request by HRTC Vice Chairman Ajay Verma, he announced that an e-bus depot would be set up in Kangra as well. He stated that electric buses would also be flagged off from Una on Monday.
Taking a dig at the opposition, the Deputy Chief Minister remarked that the state's first e-bus depot has now been established in Haroli. He quipped that even the opposition must be wondering how this came to pass. Those who are averse to development feel pained by every good initiative.
**Amb Bus Stand to be built within a year; Chintpurni Temple to undergo renovation**
At the request of Sudarshan Babloo, the MLA for the Chintpurni Assembly constituency, the Deputy Chief Minister announced that the construction of the Amb bus stand would be completed within one year. He stated that the renovation work of the Mata Shri Chintpurni Temple, estimated to cost around ?250 crore, would commence soon. He appealed to devotees of the Goddess—both within and outside the state—to contribute generously to this noble cause so that the project could be given an even grander form.
**?1,000 crore for Bulk Drug Park; City Center to be built at Una's old bus stand**
The Deputy Chief Minister stated that the state government would provide ?1,000 crore for the Bulk Drug Park being developed in Haroli. He announced that the old bus stand in Una would be developed into a modern City Center. Additionally, a tyre retreading plant would be established in the district.
**I will continue to serve Haroli until my last breath**
The Deputy Chief Minister remarked that he harbors no desire for personal accolades; he intends to serve Haroli until his last breath. He emphasized that every individual in Haroli—regardless of their political affiliation—holds equal importance to him, and the holistic development of the region remains his top priority.
On this occasion, Sudarshan Babloo, MLA for the Chintpurni Assembly constituency, described the establishment of the state's first e-bus depot and regional office in Haroli as a significant achievement for both the region and the entire state. He expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister for advancing the projects related to the Amb bus stand and the renovation of the Mata Shri Chintpurni Temple.
HRTC Vice Chairman Ajay Verma termed the inauguration of the state's first e-bus depot a historic milestone, noting that it would provide fresh momentum to a modern and eco-friendly transport system. He also thanked the Deputy Chief Minister for the announcement regarding the establishment of an e-bus depot in Kangra. Present on the occasion were Mahant Baba Shivnath of Dera Baba Somnath; State Congress Committee General Secretary Ranjeet Singh Rana; District Congress Committee President Deshraj Gautam; Block Congress Committee President Sandeep Agnihotri; Zila Parishad members Keval Singh Aujla, Sulinder Pal Kaur, and Jyoti Bala; Mahila Congress District President Suman Thakur; STA members Ashok Thakur, Satish Bittu, and Vinod Bittu; Subhadra Chaudhary, Madhu Dhiman, Raman Kumari, Urmila Devi, Sunita Bagga, Yashpal Jassa, and Mehtab Thakur, along with other Congress office-bearers. Also present were Una DC Jatin Lal, Haroli SDM Vishal Sharma, DSP Mohan Rawat, HRTC Chief General Manager Pankaj Singhal, General Manager Pawan Mahajan, and DM Rajkumar Pathak, alongside a large number of Panchayat representatives, HRTC officials, and other dignitaries.