Munish Sood
Mandi
A fresh controversy has erupted between private bus operators and the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) after private operators demanded the immediate shutdown of a Facebook page titled “HRTC Keylong”, alleging that it is being used to circulate misleading videos and messages targeting private bus services.
Addressing a press conference in Mandi, representatives of several private bus operators claimed that the page is spreading content aimed at creating mistrust among passengers and fueling tensions between HRTC staff and private transport operators.
Operators Claim Page is Unauthorised
Pankaj Mahajan, operator of Kanika Bus Service, along with Chaman Lal from Anjali Bus Service and Dola Ram from Anuj Bus Service, stated that the Facebook page operating under the name “HRTC Keylong” is not an official page of the state-run transport corporation.
According to the operators, the page is allegedly being run by Lalit Rajput, a resident of the Gohar area who works as a driver with HRTC. They alleged that Rajput has no official authorization from either the state government or HRTC to operate such a page.
Despite this, they claimed, the page continues to post videos and messages portraying private bus operators in a negative light.
Controversy Over Viral Video
The operators also raised objections to a recently posted video on the page that purportedly shows a private bus failing to stop for passengers. According to the operators, the video was staged in order to defame their services.
They alleged that in the video, a small child was deliberately made to stand along the roadside and signal a bus to stop as it approached, so that footage could be recorded showing the bus not halting. The operators claimed that the bus in question was actually operating outside its regular Mandi route at the time.
They argued that such content is misleading and is being used to tarnish the reputation of private bus operators in the region.
“Situation Being Turned Into a Conflict”
Private bus operators warned that the circulation of such videos and posts is unnecessarily escalating tensions between HRTC staff and private operators.
“The situation is being turned into something like an India-Pakistan confrontation between HRTC and private bus operators,” they alleged, urging authorities to intervene before the issue escalates further.
Demand for Inquiry and Action
The operators have demanded that the Regional Manager (RM) and Divisional Manager (DM) of HRTC in Mandi initiate an inquiry into the matter and take appropriate action.
They also claimed that complaints regarding the issue had already been submitted to the RM and DM on several occasions but no action has been taken so far.
According to the operators, there are suspicions that an influential individual at the Secretariat level may be attempting to shield the person running the page.
Legal Notice Warning
Private bus operators have warned that if the authorities fail to act soon, they will be compelled to issue a legal notice to the RM and DM of HRTC demanding action on the matter.
The issue has once again highlighted the growing friction between state-run transport services and private bus operators in parts of Himachal Pradesh, particularly over allegations of unfair practices and public perception battles on social media.
