S Gopal Puri
Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government confirmed that it had procured 24 Volvo buses for the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) in 2025, with the supply contract awarded to M/s VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd.
The information was shared in the state Assembly in response to a question raised by BJP legislator Sudhir Sharma (Dharamshala) regarding the procurement process for the new luxury buses.
The government clarified that the purchase had been made through an open tender process, and not via quotations from individual companies. While tenders were floated inviting participation from eligible firms, only V.E. Commercial Vehicles Ltd. submitted a valid bid. Consequently, the contract had been awarded to the company under standard procurement rules.
“These buses were fully built units and met all the technical specifications laid down in the tender documents,” the official response stated, dismissing claims that the purchase was influenced by selective quotations.
The induction of these buses strengthened HRTC’s premium and long-route services, particularly on high-demand interstate and intrastate routes such as Delhi-Shimla, Manali-Chandigarh and Dharamshala-Delhi. The HRTC, which had long relied on Volvo buses to serve passengers seeking comfort and safety in Himachal’s challenging terrain, expanded its capacity significantly with this procurement.
For years, the HRTC had grappled with financial constraints in modernising its fleet. The addition of these 24 buses in 2025 improved service quality and boosted revenue generation through tourism and long-distance travel.
Industry observers noted that Volvo, operating under V.E. Commercial Vehicles Ltd. in India, had remained a preferred choice for state transport undertakings across the country due to its proven reliability and performance in difficult terrains.
The procurement had stirred political debate, with opposition leaders questioning whether competition was adequate, since only one bidder came forward. The government, however, maintained that the tendering process was transparent and fully compliant with procurement norms.
By the end of 2025, the induction of the new fleet had enhanced the commuting experience for both residents and tourists, reaffirming HRTC’s reputation as one of the leading state transport undertakings in the region.
