Narrow escape for 35 as bus tyres give way near Chamba
As many as 35 passengers narrowly escaped when the axle of a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus broke, dislodging its rear tyres. The bus, travelling from Holi to Chamba, had reached the Jangi area near Mehla when the axle snapped, bringing the vehicle to a sudden halt in the middle of the road. While the abrupt stop prevented a serious accident, it caused panic among the passengers. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Concerns are rising among regular commuters in Chamba about the reliability of HRTC buses, as breakdowns on various routes have become increasingly common. Passengers claim the Chamba Depot relies on outdated vehicles that have exceeded their operational mileage, leading to frequent mechanical issues, especially on the district’s steep, winding roads.
The Chamba Depot currently operates buses on about 165 of its 175 routes, with ten routes lacking service due to bus shortages and maintenance issues. HRTC has added 15 new buses to its fleet over the past six years, including four air-conditioned ones, but many of these buses are unsuitable for the narrow, rural roads.
HRTC Regional Manager Shugal Singh noted that while technical checks are conducted before deployment, some unexpected breakdowns occur. He assured the public that management is working to address these issues and arrange alternative transport when breakdowns happen.
