Know the main points and gist of the news at a glance
Ankur Aggarwal, Dehradun. This year, with the opening of the doors of Gangotri-Yamnotri on April 19, lakhs of devotees coming for the Chardham Yatra will have to shell out some money. In fact, the state government and the transport department seem to agree on the demand of bus companies and transporters for increase in bus and taxi fares.
Citing increase in diesel, insurance amount and other expenses, the bus companies conducting Chardham Yatra under joint rotation are demanding an increase in fare by 10 to 20 percent.
Now the decision will be taken next week as to how much the fare will increase, but if reliable sources are to be believed, a fare increase of up to 15 percent is possible. For the first time in the year 2022, the fare of vehicles for Chardham Yatra was fixed separately by the Transport Department.
The fare for Chardham Yatra vehicles was determined according to the category of the vehicle, considering it different from the normal commercial vehicles operated in the state.
On this basis, the Transport Department has sent its report regarding fares to the government, in which it has been recommended to consider the demand for fare increase made by the transporters. In the report, the category of taxi has been decided according to its price.
Taxis priced up to Rs 8 lakh are classified as ordinary, taxis priced between Rs 8 to 15 lakh are classified as deluxe, taxis priced between Rs 15 to 25 lakh are classified as luxury, while taxis priced above Rs 25 lakh are classified as super luxury. Their fare and waiting fee has also been determined according to the category.
Present fare of Chardham Yatra vehicles
Chardham/Hemkund Yatra Bus Fares
luxury and super luxury taxi
Fares for roadways and school vehicles will also increase
There are also preparations to increase the fares of Uttarakhand Transport Corporation buses as well as school buses and vans in the state. Actually, the transport corporation is going through a huge financial crisis.
Buses were running at a loss. School bus and van operators also have the same argument. Transporters say that according to departmental rules there should be an increase in fare every year, but there has been no increase for the last four years.
Preparation to increase load capacity to 18500 kg
There are also preparations to increase the load capacity on the mountain routes in the state. Currently, vehicles with a total weight of 16200 kg (total weight of vehicle and material) can climb the mountain.
Now preparations are on to increase it to 18500 kg. Keeping in mind that the roads in the hilly areas of the state are continuously becoming wider and safer, preparations are being made to provide this facility. At present many centrally aided projects are being run in the state.
Apart from all-weather road, construction work is going on on many hydro power projects. In such a situation, many times construction material is brought in vehicles exceeding the load capacity of 16200 kg. Up to 80 quintals of material is transported in vehicles with load capacity of 16200 kg.
To bring more load than this, agencies have to take special permission from the transport department. This proposal is also being brought in the STA meeting. Along with this, there are also preparations to increase the wheelbase of the vehicles.
Also read- Chardham Yatra will be inaugurated with the spirit of Atithi Devo Bhava, registration counters will open 24 hours.
Also read- Chardham Yatra is starting from April 19, this time fee will have to be paid for online registration.
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