Pollution woes: Volvo bus services to Delhi affected, routes clubbed

The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has suspended around 15 Volvo bus services to Delhi from various parts of the state following directions from the Delhi Government. In view of Delhi’s deteriorating air quality, only BS-6, electric and CNG buses would be allowed to enter the capital.

“Instead of 43 Volvo buses, only 27 Volvo buses have been sent to Delhi on Monday from the state. The public, though, will not be affected much as certain routes from Shimla and Manali have been clubbed,” said HRTC MD Rohan Chand Thakur.

The HRTC had to take off several Volvo buses from the Delhi route as it doesn’t have enough BS6 Volvo buses that meet emission standards set by the government. Thakur said the Delhi Government’s decision would not affect the ordinary bus services to Delhi in any way. “We have enough BS6 ordinary buses. So, ordinary bus services will continue as before,” the MD said.

The Volvo routes that has been suspended include Shimla-Delhi (9.45 am), Hamirpur-Delhi (9 pm), Shimla-Delhi (9.30 pm), Rohru-Delhi (5 pm), Dalhousie-Delhi (2.55 pm), Chintpurni-Delhi (8.15 pm), Manali-Delhi (7 pm), Manali-Delhi (8 am), Manali-Delhi (3 pm), Manali-Delhi (5 pm), McLeodganj-Delhi (5.35 pm), Palampur-Delhi (6.40 pm), Palampur-Delhi (7 pm) and Nalagarh-Delhi (8.15 pm).