Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) has added 100 new buses to its fleet, with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami flagging off the services on New Year's Day 2026 from the CM camp office. The initiative aims to enhance public transport capacity and improve connectivity across the state, particularly in challenging hill districts where terrain and road gradients often affect operations. Along with the new additions, 10 AC and two sleeper buses operating on a contract basis were also dedicated to the public. The CM released a UTC publication titled “Anwarat” and a road-safety calendar during the event. Several employees were honored for their work under difficult conditions.

The new buses are equipped with modern safety and monitoring systems to improve passenger experience and operational efficiency. These include GPS-based tracking, CCTV cameras, e-ticketing, fleet monitoring, and scheduled maintenance processes. These features are expected to enable real-time tracking, record onboard incidents, reduce manual ticketing errors, and ensure better adherence to routes and schedules. The government views these upgrades as essential for reliable service delivery in a state where road transport is the primary mode of access to education, healthcare, markets, and tourism. Officials emphasized that such technology will help address long-standing issues in public transport management.

The state government also reiterated its plan to introduce electric buses into the UTC fleet in the near future. While no specific timeline, route plan, or procurement details were shared, the announcement aligns with broader trends across several Indian states adopting electric buses for both city and intercity operations. This move is part of Uttarakhand’s commitment to sustainable transport and reducing carbon emissions in the transport sector. The transition to electric vehicles is expected to lower operational costs over time and improve air quality in tourist-heavy and urban areas. The government has been steadily investing in green mobility initiatives in recent years.

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Infrastructure development remains a key focus for UTC operations. The government stated that construction of more than 13 new bus stations and workshops has been completed, while work is progressing at 14 other locations, including four Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs). Modern bus stations and well-equipped maintenance workshops are vital for reducing turnaround time, improving vehicle upkeep, and ensuring reliable services on long and high-altitude routes. These upgrades are particularly important in a mountainous state where weather and geography often disrupt schedules. The ongoing projects aim to strengthen the overall transport network across Uttarakhand.

CM Sukhu also highlighted welfare measures for UTC employees and manpower improvements. Dearness allowance (DA) revisions have been implemented, recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission have been applied, and recruitment drives are addressing workforce shortages. Adequate staffing levels are crucial for maintenance cycles, route scheduling, and handling peak travel periods, especially during adverse weather conditions. The Chief Minister described UTC as a vital service delivery institution and assured continued efforts to make it more accountable and responsive. The event was attended by cabinet ministers Ganesh Joshi and Subodh Uniyal, Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal, and several legislators and officials.

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