Shimla: Himachal Pradesh transport department generated Rs 2,597 crore in revenue from Jan 2023 to Dec 2025, an increase of Rs 1,098 crore (approximately 73%) compared to the previous BJP govt, deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri said on Tuesday.Presiding over the fifth meeting of the HP State Transport Development and Road Safety Council, Agnihotri highlighted the govt’s focus on transparency, digital reforms, road safety, employment, and green mobility.He noted that Himachal’s inclusion among the top states in NITI Aayog’s India Electric Mobility Index underscored its commitment to sustainable transport and a “Green Himachal”.The finance department’s 2024-25 memorandum ranked the transport department second in state revenue collection, after the state taxes and excise department, he added.To enhance vehicle fitness testing, automated testing stations (ATS) are being established at govt locations in Haroli (Una) and Nadaun (Hamirpur), and at private sites in Ranital, Bilaspur, Kangu, Nalagarh, and Paonta Sahib, he said, adding that construction at Ranital was complete, while others were progressing.The inspection and certification centre at Baddi is 95% complete. A mobile fitness app and auto-approval system will digitise permits, driving licences, and fitness certificates, reducing paperwork and visits to RTO offices.Vehicle scrapping centres in Solan and Hamirpur scrapped 1,692 vehicles to date, promoting environmental protection, said Agnihotri. An automated driving test track is being built at Haroli at a cost of Rs 10.23 crore. Subsidies are offered for converting taxis to e-taxis (40%) and for purchasing buses on new routes (up to 30%). The e-taxi scheme under the Rajiv Gandhi Self Employment Scheme supported 96 beneficiaries with Rs 6.94 crore, he added.Agnihotri also launched the m-Fitness App of the transport department, facilitating digital fitness inspection, photo and global positioning system (GPS) evidence, prevention of fake certificates, a paperless process, and real-time data synchronisation.Digital enforcement systems, including e-challans and the intelligent traffic management system (ITMS), were introduced, said Agnihotri. Road safety initiatives, including a curriculum for Classes 6-12, reduced accidents by 10%, fatalities by 9%, and serious injuries by 6%, he added.Employment was boosted with 1,061 private bus routes and 39,000 taxi or maxi permits. Solar-based electric vehicle charging stations are operational in Shimla, with 30 out of 129 planned stations functional statewide, said Agnihotri.MSID:: 126797040 413 |
