New ISBT becomes operational at Shimla

State’s first build-operate-transfer (BOT) project - an ultra-modern Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT), built at a cost of Rs 80 crore at Tutikandi, on Shimla bypass became operational on Aug 29, 2011

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal dedicated the project to the citizens, raising hopes that similar bus stands would also be built in all major towns - six of them already cleared by the state cabinet.

The new ISBT has 11 bays at arrival level and 24 bays at departure level with dedicated doors for entry and exit of passengers for each bay. The passenger concourse at both levels is provided with waiting area.

A police assistance booth has been set up and the ISBT is equipped with CCTV cameras for 24-hour surveillance.

There are three floors of parking to accommodate about 150 small vehicles. There is a segregation of movement of passenger, private vehicles and buses with new and dedicated drive-way for private vehicles for dropping passengers.

The integrated bus terminal also has two floors of a modern shopping mall, two multiplexes and a hotel.

Speaking on the occasion, Dhumal said the government would consider connecting the new ISBT through a ropeway with the old bus stand and railway station with scope for further extension to Jakhu to boost tourism.

“This will be done in such a way that environment and ecology of the town is not disturbed,” Dhumal said adding that additional efforts will also be made to construct more lifts and escalators in the town.

It needs to be mentioned that construction of the modern ISBT took 11 years. In the year 2000, the master plan was approved by CM Prem Kumar Dhumal and the land for the bus stand was allocated in Tutikandi.
In 2003, during the tenure of Congress government, several difficulties were faced to begin the construction work.

It took over five years to get permission from forest department for cutting trees on the allotted site.  It was in the year 2008 that a go ahead was granted by the department.
Thereafter, the construction work began in collaboration with a Delhi-based private company, CK Infrastructure. Out of the total amount spent on its construction, Rs 16 crore was contributed by HRTC and Rs 64 crore by the private company.

Feature of modern ISBT Shimla

a. Altogether 35 bays which include 11 arrival & 24 departure bays
b. Glazed concourse and lobby
c. Modern ticketing counters
d. Furnished cloak rooms
e. Parking for nearly 200 cars
f. Hassle free traffic movement /pedestrians
g. Commercial areas (restaurant , offices )
h. Multiplexes
i. Budget hotel
j. Proposed cable trolley to mall road
k. Equipped with all modern security equipments
l. Taxi stand
m. Dormitory
n. Space for advertisements

Commercial Area plan

      Nearly 800 bus schedule will be operational from modern ISBT Shimla. These schedules include's local, inter district and inter state buses. These buses will nearly boost our commercial areas from 65000 passengers and tourists. Being capital of Himachal Pardesh we expect 15000 persons which include tourists, officials and business persons from different states and countries.

New Traffic Plan for Shimla

Consequent upon the construction of new Inter State Bus Stand, the new traffic movement from Shimla has been modified as under according to Chief Executive Officer, H.P. Bus Stands Management and Development Authority, Shimla.
The buses coming from Chandigarh, Bilaspur, Nahan side and terminating at Shimla will directly go to ISBT Tutikandi. On return journey, these buses will originate from ISBT Tutikandi.
The buses coming from upper Shimla and Kinnaur side and terminating at Shimla will continue operating via Chhota Shimla, Bemloe, old bus stand but will terminate at ISBT Tutikandi. For return journey, these buses will originate from ISBT Tutikandi and will continue operating via Lakkar Bazar, Dhalli byepass.
The buses coming from upper Shimla and Kinnaur side and going towards Chandigarh, Bilaspur, Nahan side will operate via Dhalli byepass, Sanjauli, Chhota Shimla, Khalini Chowk, Kanlog, Lalpani to ISBT Tutikandi.
The buses coming from Chandigarh, Bilaspur, Nahan side and going towards upper Shimla and Kinnaur will touch ISBT Tutikandi and after alighting and getting passengers, will continue operating via Lakkar Bazar, Dhalli to further destinations.
The old bus stand would henceforth function as local bus stand for operations within Shimla town as well as for peripheral locations within the radius of 30 kms.
All local circuit buses operating within Shimla town from various locations such as New Shimla, Sanjauli, Vikasnagar, Panthaghati, Summerhill, Shoghi etc. will continue to operate from old bus stand. However, some of them will be extended upto ISBT Tutikandi to provide better connectivity from various locations to ISBT Tutikandi.
For the convenience of vegetables and milk vendors to bring their produce to the town and daily commuters and to reduce traffic congestion, the buses operating from peripheral locations beyond Dhalli but within the radius of 30 kms. will continue operating via Chhota Shimla to old bus stand but would be extended to ISBT Tutikandi, the buses operating from different peripheral locations within the radius of 30 kms. from Tutu and Shoghi side towards Victory Tunnel, presently operating via Lakkar Bazar, Sanjauli, Chhota Shimla to old bus stand, would henceforth operate directly from Victory Tunnel to old bus stand.

The Mudrika operations on Dhalli-Chhota Shimla-old bus stand, old bus stand-Lakkar Bazar-Dhalli and New Shimla-old bus stand routes would run throughout the day except during school timings and will be extended to ISBT Tutikandi.
Besides the above arrangements, five additional shuttle buses will keep operating throughout the day from early morning to late evening between ISBT Tutikandi and old bus stand.
Some of the long route buses terminating at ISBT Tutikandi and fixed for operation in the early morning will be extended upto various locations within Shimla town to provide early morning connectivity from these locations to ISBT Tutikandi.
Connectivity between ISBT Tutikandi and six important hubs in the town, i.e. 1) Old bus stand, 2) Tutu/Summerhill, 3) Lakkar bazaar, 4) BCS/New Shimla, 5) Vikasnagar/Panthaghati and 6) Sanjauli/Dhalli will be ensured from early morning to late evening.
Special recognition stickers will be given to the buses operating from old bus stand.
Advance reservation facilities would be provided by HRTC through online reservation system and tickets can be booked by passengers even sitting at home or through Lok Mitra Kendras or through four counters run by HRTC at important locations of Shimla town i.e. ISBT Tutikandi, old Bus Stand Cart Road, Tourist Information Centre, the Mall and at Lakkar Bazar. A self serviced online reservation kiosk has also been provided at the departure level of ISBT Tuti Kandi on pilot basis and similar kiosks would be replicated at bus stands all over the State.
The general public has been requested to extend cooperation in implementing the modified traffic plan to facilitate smooth operation of public transport. However, some problems may crop up in the first few days which would be redressed in the best possible manner.

Census 2011

Himachal Pradesh has a total population of 68,56,509 including 34,73892 males and 33,82,617 females which is only 0.57 % of India's total population, placing the state at 21st position and recording a growth of 12.81 %.
 
The state also recorded improved literacy rate of 83.78 % and gender ratio at 974/1000, according to the latest Census figures.
Census wise, the state is placed 21st on the population chart followed by Tripura at 22nd place.
Kangra district was top ranked with a population strength of 1,507,223 (21.98 %), Mandi 999,518 (14.58 %), Shimla 813,384 (11.86 %), Solan 576,670 (8.41 %), Sirmour 530,164 (7.73 %), Una 521,057 (7.60 %), Chamba 518,844 (7.57 %), Hamirpur 454, 293 (6.63 %), Kullu 437,474 (6.38 %), Bilaspur 382,056 (5.57 %), Kinnaur 84,298 (1.23 %) and Lahaul Spiti 31,528 (0.46 %).
Lahaul-Spiti recorded a decline in the growth rate by minus 5.10 % while highest jump in the sex ratio was seen of 114 points against 802 in 2001, now up at 916 points. Mr Tegta attributed the decline in population of tribal district to large scale migration.
However, the gender ratio of the state showed improvement as against 1,000 males the number of females was 974 compared to 968 in 2001. The sex ratio in 0 to 6 age group showed a 10 points increase but was still alarming at 906 compared to 896 in 2001. The Gender Composition proportions was 50.77 males against 49.33 females, that is 50.81:49.19 of 2001.
Among the population, the number of children in the 0-6 years age group was put at 763,664 children, a growth of 11.14 %. The literacy rate was up at 83.78 % with 90.83 % males and 76.60 % females. The status of literacy showed a rise of about four % among males and nine % among the females.
Against literacy rate of 76.48 % prevailing in the state in 2001, Hamirpur continued to be the most literate district of the state with 89 % literacy rate followed by Una at 87.23 % and Kangra with 86.49 % while Chamba and Lahaul Spiti were least literate in the state with LR of 62.14 % and 66.50 % respectively.

Population of Districts
Kangra district - 1,507,223 (21.98 %),
Mandi - 999,518 (14.58 %),
Shimla - 813,384 (11.86 %),
Solan - 576,670 (8.41 %),
Sirmour - 530,164 (7.73 %),
Una - 521,057 (7.60 %),
Chamba - 518,844 (7.57 %),
Hamirpur - 454, 293 (6.63 %),
Kullu - 437,474 (6.38 %),
Bilaspur - 382,056 (5.57 %),
Kinnaur - 84,298 (1.23 %)
Lahaul Spiti - 31,528 (0.46 %).

Congress opposes land allotment to DLF in Himachal

The Congress party Tuesday stoutly opposed the Himachal Pradesh government's decision to allot agricultural land to Delhi-based DLF Universal Ltd to set up ultra-luxurious housing projects in the state.

State Congress chief Kaul Singh Thakur told reporters that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government was promoting the realtors in the state by diverting agricultural land to non-agricultural purposes.

'DLF has recently given advertisements in newspapers inviting applications for the upcoming projects in the vicinity of Shimla and Kasauli,' Thakur said.

'We are totally against the decision of the government to allow the realtor to build high-end cottages. The BJP government in the state is promoting land mafia,' he said.

Sources in the government said that DLF has identified a huge chunk of land around Shimla and Kasauli towns and plans to invest Rs.200 crore in these projects.

Thakur said Shimla town already faces water shortage, besides traffic chaos, and that such projects would only add to the woes of the people.

'By allowing such realtors to set up housing projects, the government is going to multiply the problems of the town. Moreover, the builders are alluring buyers by saying that even outsiders (non-Himachal people) can purchase the villas,' he added.

Under Himachal Pradesh land laws, only the state's permanent residents can buy land in the state. Others who want to purchase land for non-agricultural purposes have to seek relaxations under Section 118 of the Land Reforms and Tenancy Act from the state government.

The DLF projects would have high-end residential villas and apartments.

The Shimla residential project is located at Waknaghat on the Chandigarh-Shimla National Highway-22, whereas the Kasauli project is located near the industrial hub of Baddi.

Monsoon in Himachal breaks 15-year record

The plentiful southwest monsoon across Himachal Pradesh this year has broken the record of 15 years, the weather office said in Shimla on Wednesday.
"From June 1 to September 14 the state saw 816.6 mm of rain against the normal average of 741.1 mm, which means the state got 10 per cent more rainfall," Manmohan Singh, director of the meteorological office in Shimla, said.
"After 1995, it was for the first time that the state got the highest excess rain. In the past 15 years, the highest surplus rain was witnessed in 2003 (4 per cent)," he said.
According to him, in 1995 the state experienced 17 per cent more rainfall than normal.
He said all the 12 districts in the state, except Lahaul and Spiti, got normal to excess rainfall.
"Till date Lahaul and Spiti saw a deficient rainfall of 23 per cent, whereas Kinnaur district recorded 156 per cent more rains," Singh added.
Shimla, once the summer capital of the British, experienced 26 per cent more rainfall till date. It saw 850 mm of rain against the normal of 671 mm.
He said the highest rainfall in Shimla from June 1 to Sep 14 was recorded in 1971 when it was 1,505.4 mm. The second highest was 1,483 mm in 1995.
The southwestern monsoon that reached the state July 5 would remain active in the region for a few more days. Normally, it starts receding by Sep 15.
"There would be mild to moderate rainfall in the state Wednesday and Thursday. But from Friday onwards, the state would experience moderate rainfall. Some places would be likely to witness even heavy spells of rain between Sep 17 and 21," Manmohan Singh said.
Himachal Pradesh's agriculture and horticulture-based economy is highly dependent on the monsoon.

Himachal Chief Minister expresses concern over Chinese threat

In the wake of many strange developments in the recent past with China, the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Prem Kumar Dhumal has voiced his concern over the threat posed by China.

Speaking on sidelines of a function to inaugurate a building of Consumer Forum here, Dhumal cited that China had denied a visa to an IAS officer from Arunachal Pradesh cadre when around 100 IAS officers were going on an official visit to China in 2008.

"When our Prime Minister goes to Arunachal (Pradesh), so China objects on that; when IAS delegation has to got to China, it objects in giving visa to the IAS of Arunachal (Pradesh). Right now, I have learnt that they have set missiles in Tibet, which would target main cities of India. All these things are problematic. They are a threat to the nation's security, and I am saying this repeatedly that India has the greatest threat from China only," said Prem Kumar Dhumal.

He suggested that India should construct an international-level airport in Himachal Pradesh, both for tourism and from security point of view.

"We also brought this topic in the National Development Council meeting. On one side, China is making several airports and helipads, and making railway lines as well (in Tibet region)," Dhumal added.

Last month Beijing had refused a visa to an Indian Army General presently posted in Kashmir which happened to be the latest diplomatic spat between two Asian giants jostling for global influence and resources.

It may also be noted that in spite of decades of mistrust, China is today India's biggest trade partner. The value of bilateral deals was expected to pass $60 billion this year, a 30-fold increase since 2000, raising the stakes in maintaining peace.

Exiled Tibetans debate with PM aspirants in Dharamsala

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh), Sept.12 (ANI): The National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT) organized a debate here on Saturday as a part of a campaign to decide who will be the next Prime Minister-in-exile.

The aspirants to the post of 'Kalon Tripa', - Kasur Tethong Tenzin Namgyal and Lobsang Sangay debated and also took questions from the audience on a range of issues related to the Tibetan cause.

"Both (the candidates) answered in the same manner, that they both will work under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and their political stand will be middle-way approach," said Yangzom, a Tibetan exile.

"The general election is very soon (to come), so many Tibetan people are so excited and they want to know so many things from the candidate. So, we brought them in front of the Tibetan public, so that the Tibetan public can see and they can ask many questions and they can say whatever they want, whatever they want to know," said Chimme, President, NDPT.

The first round of campaigning included tours and democracy awareness talks in about 21 places all over the India.

An estimated 80,000 Tibetans arrived in India along with the Dalai Lama after an abortive uprising against the Chinese rule in 1959 and over the years their numbers have swelled.

China accuses the Dalai Lama of seeking independence for Tibet, but he says he only wants autonomy for the Tibetan people.

The Dalai Lama has in recent years called for limited autonomy for Tibet, but some Tibetans demand full independence.

Himachal to use EVMs for panchayat, urban body polls

Himachal Pradesh will go into the election mode, once again, before the end of the year to complete the process for electing new panchayat and urban local bodies.

The state Election Commissioner Dev Swaroop told media persons the commission has already set in motion the process for verification of the voters’ list ahead of the polls and electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be used for the first time in the polls.

“The announcement of the election schedule could be made any time after the commission gets reports on completion of the electoral rolls. The process for verification of the rolls have already started from today and would be completed by September 20,” he informed.

All block development officers (BDOs) have been instructed to appoint teams for house-to-house verifications. The team will include panchayat secretary of sahayak, patwari, school teachers and anganwadi workers. The teams will be handed over working copies of the existing rolls generated from the data of the election commission.

To make the data foolproof and eliminate duplications, the commission has devised a form to be filled in by head of the family for authentication of the family voters’ details. The commission has decided to take the help of state’s Information Technology department in the electoral rolls.

All voters eligible on January 1, 2010, will be included in the voters list.

The elections will be held for nearly 3243 panchayats and 48 urban local bodies. The election process, said Swaroop, will be completed by December 25.

He, however, refused to elaborate on the reservation for women but added that since the Act had been already passed a provision of 50 reservation have been made for the women. In all 27,453 representatives of the panchayats will be elected and 406 for the urban local bodies.

63 Himachal students pass class X without taking exam

Sixty-three students of a Himachal Pradesh school have passed the class X state board examination without appearing for it. Two persons, including school owner Ashwini Kumar Dogra, have been arrested in this connection.

During preliminary investigation by Dharamshala-based Himachal Pradesh Education Board, answersheets of the students of Kangra's Divya Jyoti Academy were found even though they had not written the exam, said OP Jamwal, ASP Dharamshala.

According to police, Dogra allegedly bought answersheets from examination centres. He then got his school teachers to write the answers on behalf of the students. The filled-in answersheets were then sent to the Board office by post. From there, these were distributed to various evaluation centres.

Dogra was arrested on Thursday and remanded in four-day police custody. Police suspect the involvement of an organised gang, including board employees and invigilators of the exam, in the racket. SSP Kangra Atul Fulzhele said the Board's 2010 exam record has been confiscated.

State Highways & Major Distt. Roads of Himachal

There are following State Highways in the State :

Sr. No.	Name of Road	District	Length in Kms	SH. No.
1	Lal Dhank Paonta Rajban Hatkoti (except NH portion and RD 133/0 to 171/0 in Uttrakhand)	Shimla	26.00	1
2	Kumarhatti-Sarahan-Nahan (Dosarka)	Sirmour/Solan	78.00	2
3	Chhaila Neripul Yashwant Nagar Oachghat Kumarhatti	Shimla/Sirmour/Solan	86.30	6
4	Sainj Chopal Nerwa Shallu	Shimla	90.00	8
5	Shalaghat Arki Kunjhar Brotiwala	Solan	80.40	9
6	Theog Kotkhai Hatkoti Rohru	Shimla	80.00	10
7	Sainj Ani Banjar Aut	Kullu/ Mandi	96.00	11
8	Shamla Tatapani Mandi	Shimla/ Mandi	185.60	13
9	Shimla Kunihar Ramshehar Nalagarh Ghanoli	Shimla/Solan	112.30	16
10	Dharamshala Dadh Palampur Holta Chadhiar Sandhol (Except NH portion)	Kangra/Mandi	90.00	17
11	Jogindarnagar Sarkaghat Ghumarwin (except NH portion)	Mandi/Bilaspur	83.00	19
12	Jawalamukhi Dehra Jawali Raja-ka-Talab	Kangra	79.60	22
13	Mehatpur Una Mubarikpur Daulatpur H.P. Boundary (except NH portion)	Una	67.00	25
14	Pong Dam Fatehpur Jassur	Kangra	53.00	27
15	Nurpur Lahru Tunuhatti	Kangra/Chamba	42.20	28
16	Una-Aghar Barsar Jahu Bhambla Nerchowk	Una/Hamirpur/Mandi	126.30	32
17	Pathankot Banikhet Chamba Tissa	Chamba	139.00	33
18	Hamirpur Sujanpur Thural Maranda	Hamirpur /Kangra	59.00	39
19	Shahpur Sihunta Chowari	Chamba	52.00	43
		Total	1625.70

There are following Major District Roads (MDR) in the State :

Sr. No.	Name of Road	District	Length Kms	MDR No.
1	Nahan Dadahul Haripurdhar	Sirmour	87.00	1
2	Solan Meenus(except State Highway-6 portion)	Sirmour/Solan	98.00	2
3	Banethi Rajgarh Chandol	Sirmour	127.00	3
4	Markanda bridge Suketi park Kala Amb Trilokpur	Sirmour	21.50	4
5	Kolar Bilaspur	Sirmour	13.00	5
6	Parwanoo Kasauli Dharampur Sabhathu Solan	Solan	65.32	6
7	Barotiwala Baddi Sai Ramshar	Solan	44.95	7
8	Kufri Chail Kandaghat	Solan/Shimla	57.00	8
9	Solan Barog Kumarhatti	Solan	13.00	9
10	Dharampur Kasauli	Solan	10.50	10
11	Arki Dhundan Bhararighat	Solan	18.70	11
12	Nalagarh Dhabota Bharatgarh	Solan	9.40	12
13	Shogi Mehli Junga Sadhupul	Shimla	49.40	13
14	Mashobra Bhekhalti	Shimla	18.00	14
15	Narkanda Thanadbar Kotgarh Bithal	Shimla	44.00	15
16	Rampur Mashnoo Sarahan Jeori	Shimla	62.00	19
17	Bakrot Karsog(Sanarli) Sainj	Mandi	41.80	21
18	Salapper Tattapani Suni Luhri	Mandi/Shimla	120.80	22
19	Mandi Kataula Bajaura	Mandi	51.00	23
20	Mandi Gagal Chailchowk Janjehli	Mandi	45.80	24
21	Chailchowk Gohar Pandoh	Mandi	29.60	25
22	Mandi Rewalsar Kalkhar	Mandi	28.00	26
23	Nore Wazir Bowli	Kullu	37.00	28
24	Kullu Nagar Manali (left Bank)	Kullu	39.40	29
25	Jia Manikarn	Kullu	33.50	30
26	Swarghat Nainadevi Bhakhra	Bilaspur/Una	55.70	31
27	Naina Devi Kaula Da Toba	Bilaspur	12.20	32
28	Bamta Kandrour	Bilaspur	6.70	33
29	Nagaon Beri	Bilaspur /Solan	37.00	34
30	Hamirpur Bhoranj Jahu	Hamirpur	30.00	35
31	Nadaun Sujanpur	Hamirpur	21.00	36
32	Barsar Deothsidh	Hamirpur	11.30	37
33	Sujanpur Sandhol Marhi	Hamirpur /Mandi	45.00	38
34	Nangal Santokhgarh Tahliwal Polian Jaijon (HP Boundary)	Una	17.50	39
35	Una Hoshiarpur Bankhandi Hoshairpur	Una	15.00	40
36	Tahliwal Garhshankar (H.P Boundary)	Una	8.00	41
37	Bharwain Chintpurni Kandrori Damtal	Una /Kangra	95.56	42
38	Baijnath Ladbharol Kandapattan	Kangra/Mandi	33.00	43
39	Gaggal Chetru Dharamshala Mcleodganj	Kangra	24.00	44
40	Rait Charhi Dharamshala	Kangra	20.00	45
41	Kaloha Pragpur Dhaliara Dadasiba Sansarpur	Kangra	60.92	46
42	Kandwal Damtal	Kangra	16.50	47
43	Dadh Malan	Kangra	4.00	48
44	Banikhet Dalhouse Khajiar	Chamba	29.00	49
45	Chamba Bharmour	Chamba	45.00	52
		Total	1753.05