Shimla, Oct 7 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday launched the ‘Challan2 Pay’ initiative, enabling people to make real-time digital payments against challans at the very spot of issuance.
The facility will save people the inconvenience of visiting government offices to make such payments, a statement issued here said.
Under the new system, point-of-sale (POS) machines provided by Axis Bank are being made available to transport department officers. The initiative is not only aimed at facilitating payments, but will also ensure greater transparency and accountability in collection of challan amounts.
According to the statement, a digital record of every transaction will be maintained and the amount collected will be directly deposited into state treasury. Besides reducing cash transactions, the system will also help prevent the possibility of revenue leakage.
Later in the day, reviewing the functioning of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), the chief minister said the state government would provide 1,500 new e-buses to the corporation in the coming period. He directed the new buses have a minimum range of 350 km and be suitable for hilly terrain.
He said 297 e-buses have already been provided and their numbers would be increased to make HRTC more self-reliant.
The state government is also considering introducing hydrogen-powered buses. In the coming period, 100 green hydrogen buses and 100 ‘super-deluxe’ buses would also be procured, Sukhu added.
He instructed authorities to accelerate establishment of e-charging infrastructure across the state, adding that 30 e-vehicles would be provided to HRTC officers.
Chairing a review meeting of the transport department, the chief minister said the department’s revenue is witnessing a continuous rise. The department’s revenue, which stood at Rs 510 crore in 2021-22, has increased to Rs 995 crore in 2025-26.
He assured all possible support from the state government for filling vacant posts in the department.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, while speaking in the meeting, said HRTC is the lifeline of Himachal Pradesh, providing transport facilities to people even in remote and inaccessible areas.
He said the operation of e-buses is an important step towards environmental protection, besides savings Rs 18.19 per kilometre for HRTC. PTI BPL ARB
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