KHATIMA NEWS
Nainital
The Uttarakhand Transport Corporation plans 2 daily trips to Delhi for nearly 100 buses from Kumaon during the Diwali rush. The move comes after BS-4 buses were removed from the route, while officials expect daily passenger numbers to rise to 1,500–2,000 and have warned of possible pressure on services.
Dehradun
A Delhi entry rule allowing only BS6 vehicles from Sunday will prevent about 200 Uttarakhand Roadways buses from reaching the capital. The corporation plans to increase Volvo and AC services, while buses affected on Delhi routes may be reassigned to Agra, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Nepal and other destinations.
Pithoragarh
Pithoragarh depot is facing a widening gap between tyre requirements and supply, delayed payments and salary concerns. Officials say tyres and other materials are supplied regularly, but buses continue to remain off the road, while several routes and bus stations face operational difficulties because of shortages and maintenance problems.
Nainital
Construction problems at Ramनगर’s high-tech busport are affecting bus movement, parking and passenger convenience. The project, launched in 2021 at an estimated cost of about ₹50 crore, has faced delays after budget cuts. Officials and a local legislator have now called for the remaining work to be completed in a planned, phased manner.
Dehradun
Bus services from Dehradun to Rishikesh, Haridwar and other routes were affected on Friday after several drivers and conductors joined a work boycott called by the Uttarakhand Roadways Employees’ Union. Passengers faced longer waits, while the union warned of an indefinite boycott from 30 October if talks on its 13 demands do not begin.
Nainital
A 4-day holiday break beginning over the weekend brought fewer tourists to Nainital and Kainchi Dham, reducing passenger traffic on bus, taxi and rail-linked routes. Transport operators say diversions, shuttle arrangements and tighter measures after the October 2 rush have weakened business, while they now hope Diwali travel will improve earnings.
Nainital
Uttarakhand Roadways Employees Union members held a demonstration at the Kathgodam regional manager’s office over delayed salaries, retired employees’ dues and other demands. The union also sought equal pay for equal work until regularisation is completed and the purchase of 500 new buses for the Haridwar Kumbh.
Dehradun
The Uttarakhand Roadways Employees Joint Council has asked management to release pending August and September salaries and bonus by 2 November, ahead of Diwali. The Dehradun-based employees’ organisation warned that workers could begin a work boycott and agitation from 3 November if the payments are not made.
Champawat
A Pithoragarh depot bus travelling from Dehradun to Jhulaghat was halted near Devradi Band after its fan belt broke on Wednesday morning. The 34 passengers were later moved to Pithoragarh in 3 buses before another vehicle was arranged for the onward journey to Jhulaghat, officials said.
Nainital
Passengers arriving in Haldwani and Kathgodam faced delays on trains from Kolkata and Delhi, with signal work in Bihar forcing diversions. Bagh Express reached one hour 40 minutes late, while Sampark Kranti arrived after midnight on successive days. Heavy bookings on Ranikhet and Bagh Express added to travel difficulties after the weekend.
Haldwani
A police one-way arrangement at Kathgodam railway station on Sunday evening reportedly kept 5 Uttarakhand Transport Corporation buses inside the premises from 3 PM. Passengers waiting in Nainital faced hours of uncertainty, while depot officials questioned the decision and said no written instruction had been issued to stop the services.
Haldwani
Uttarakhand Transport Corporation has stopped approving leave for officers and employees as the festive, wedding and peak travel period approaches. Staff must remain at their ing locations for the busy period beginning 10 October, while any leave request will require permission from the corporation’s headquarters.
Pithoragarh
Employees at Uttarakhand Roadways’ Pithoragarh depot have reportedly gone without salary for 3 months, while shortages of tyres and spare parts have left several buses in the workshop. Services to Haridwar, Dehradun and key rural routes, including Dharamghar and Pangla, are also affected, causing inconvenience for passengers.
Roorkee
Employees at the Uttarakhand Roadways depot in Roorki staged a demonstration outside the assistant general manager’s office on Saturday. Workers said their salaries for July and August had not been released, creating financial difficulties, and warned that the protest would intensify if payment was delayed further.
