Ex-servicemen demand Volvo buses for Mahakumbh

The United Front of Ex-Servicemen (JCOs & ORs) Himachal Pradesh, an organisation representing retired defence personnel from the Army, Navy and the Indian Air Force (IAF), has appealed to the Himachal Pradesh Government to begin operating HRTC Volvo buses to facilitate pilgrimages to the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj from different parts of the state.

The request, according to Capt Jagdish Verma (retd), chairman of the United Front, aims to support the state residents, including those retired from the defence forces, who wish to go for the sacred dip at the spiritual Sangam ghat.

Talking to The Tribune, Capt Verma highlighted that neighbouring states such as Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh had already started plying Volvo buses to Prayagraj to cater to local pilgrims, particularly defence personnel and their families. He said in this regard, a formal request had been made to the Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh, urging the state government to offer similar transportation facility.