Shimla: In the wake of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has significantly reduced bus services to Jammu, Amritsar, and other sensitive border areas in Punjab.
The HRTC authorities have also indicated that night bus operations on these routes may be suspended entirely if the situation demands further precaution.
Daytime services limited; night operations under review
HRTC management announced that only limited buses will now run during the day on routes connecting Himachal Pradesh to border cities like Amritsar, Jammu, Katra and Pathankot.
“The safety of our passengers is our top priority. We are closely monitoring the situation and further decisions will be made based on ground assessments and administrative directives,” said Nipun Jindal, Managing Director, HRTC.
Travellers have been advised to check route status in advance via the HRTC website or helpline before planning their journeys. The corporation emphasised that bus operations will depend on local law and order guidelines issued by district administrations.
Passenger footfall drops, routes temporarily suspended
Due to heightened border security concerns, the HRTC has reported a sharp decline in passenger numbers on northern border-bound routes. In response, several services have been altered or suspended:
Rampur-Jammu route has been shortened to Jasur in Kangra district.
From Hamirpur, 10 routes to Amritsar and Jalandhar and two routes to Jammu have been temporarily shut down. The bus going to Katra has also been halted near Jasur.
Operational adjustments across Himachal
HRTC officials reiterated that these are temporary measures, subject to change based on the evolving security scenario.
They urged passengers not to panic and to rely only on verified updates from official sources.
As the region remains on alert, these transportation changes are part of wider precautionary steps being taken across the state to ensure civilian safety and maintain order.
TNR News Network
