Mandi (Munish Sood)
Social media recently erupted with posts speculating about the absence of Seema Thakur, the first female bus driver of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC). Claims that the HRTC had sidelined her sparked outrage online even as a closer look revealed a more nuanced story.
Seema Thakur, a native of Arki in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, broke barriers in 2016 by becoming the HRTC’s first female driver, inspired by her father’s legacy as an HRTC driver. In 2022, she made history again by becoming the first woman to drive an HRTC Volvo bus after completing specialised training in Bengaluru.
Challenges on road
Despite her groundbreaking achievements, Seema’s journey has not been without challenges. Sources said during her tenure as a Volvo driver, she was allegedly involved in two significant accidents and two negligence-related incidents, raising concerns over passenger safety.
In light of these issues, she was transferred to the HRTC’s Shimla local depot in July 2024 and reassigned to local bus services instead of being suspended.
‘Unexplained’ absence from work
Sources said Seema Thakur was granted a one-month leave that ended on October 1, 2024. Since then, she has neither reported for duty nor responded to the HRTC’s multiple notices, they said. Meanwhile, social media narratives accusing the HRTC of sidelining her gained traction, portraying her as a victim of institutional bias.
Took lenient stance, claim HRTC
In an official statement, the HRTC clarified that it had taken a lenient stance despite her record, considering her trailblazing role as a female driver in a male-dominated profession.
Officials condemned the misinformation spreading online, calling it unprofessional and damaging to the corporation’s reputation.
“HRTC values passenger safety above all. While Seema’s contributions are commendable, negligence cannot be ignored. The department has refrained from harsh disciplinary actions out of respect for her pioneering role,” said an HRTC official.
Seema Thakur’s story is one of courage and resilience but is now mired in complications due to her extended absence and lack of communication, said another official.
