Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Anil Vij said that Haryana Roadways carries three lakh passengers and employees daily, and efforts are being made to provide them with good food. The Tourism Department is working on a trial basis to provide food to bus passengers at five bus stands in the state, similar to the system used by the railways.
Additionally, Transport Minister Anil Vij said that Haryana Transport should not be referred to simply as Parivahan but as "Pari Ki Behan" and while there are challenges in making improvements, everyone will work together to reform the transport department. He also mentioned that we want to build rest houses on highways to provide better facilities for drivers, women, and passengers to refresh.
Sh.Vij was addressing the public after launching the five-rupee meal service at the Ambala Cantonment bus stand, initiated by the Aastha Foundation. He praised the foundation's efforts and announced a donation of five lakh rupees from his discretionary fund to the organization.
The transport minister also mentioned that this meal service would benefit passengers, staff and people staying at night shelters. He stated that this meal service, offered by the Aastha Foundation, would be available from 11 AM to 2 PM for just five rupees. He emphasized that he supports every good initiative and wants social organizations to come forward. Not all work can be done by the government, and people should contribute as well, he said.
"80% of accidents are due to human error, hence the plan to build rest houses on highways" - Transport Minister Anil Vij
Sh. Vij said that passengers traveling long distances to Ambala bus stand will now be provided with good food by the Aastha Foundation. Government decisions are also being made, and as part of the trial, agreements are being made with the Tourism Department at five bus stands to provide meals.
If successful, this facility will be extended to other bus stands. Furthermore, there are plans to provide meals at Haryana Roadways, modeled after the railway system. Three lakh passengers and employees travel daily by roadways, and efforts are being made to provide them with better meals.
He also emphasized the importance of creating rest houses on highways, as most accidents happen due to human errors, and drivers are often fatigued.
"We are developing a tracking app for buses so passengers can know the status of their buses" - Transport Minister Anil Vij
Transport Minister Anil Vij said that we are working on developing a tracking software/app for buses, so passengers can track where their buses are. The app will also be available on passengers' mobile phones, providing accurate information on bus status.
He also mentioned that new AC and electric buses will be purchased, and five electric buses have already been deployed on local routes in Ambala. They are continuously working to improve the Haryana Roadways system.
Haryana Parivahan should be called 'Pari Ki Behan' and we are working towards that" – Vij
Transport Minister Anil Vij said that Haryana Transport should not just be seen as a transport system but as "Pari Ki Behan" and efforts are being made in this direction. Though improvements may be challenging, everyone will work together to reform the transport department.
He further said that other cities in the state should also have organizations providing food, similar to this initiative. He praised the work of the Aastha Foundation. Earlier, Cabinet Minister Anil Vij was warmly welcomed at the program.
The program was attended by SDM Satyendra Sivach, Roadways GM Ashwini Dogra, Aastha Foundation President Sandeep Anand, BJP leaders Lalta Prasad, Vipin Khanna, Balvinder Shahpur, Rajeev Gupta, Ravi Chaudhary, Harsh Bindra, Ravi Budhiraja, Mohit Kaushik, Sanjeev Soni, Ashish Agarwal, Bharat Kochhar and many other workers.
After the program, speaking to the media persons, Sh. Vij mentioned that the Aastha Foundation has started providing meals for passengers, bus staff and night shelter residents at just five rupees, available daily from 11:30 AM to 2 PM. He encouraged social organizations to come forward if they wish to start similar services in other cities. The goal is to provide clean and hygienic food to passengers and staff.
Regarding the question of anger, Minister Anil Vij stated that "There is no anger, he tweeted, and you can read it." In response to another query, he said that he will sit with the workers and listen to their concerns”.