DHARAMSALA: Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri announced that the Dharamshala bus stand will be named in honor of the late GS Bali, former Transport Minister and a prominent figure in the state's development. The announcement was made on Saturday during the closing ceremony of a four-day fair organized in memory of Bali in Nagrota.
As the chief guest of the event, Agnihotri praised Bali's significant contributions to the state's infrastructure and transportation sectors. He highlighted Bali's efforts in modernizing both Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) and private transport systems. "GS Bali's vision for a modern bus stand in Dharamshala was a commitment he made during his tenure. We will honor his legacy by completing this project, " Agnihotri said.
In his address, Agnihotri also detailed recent advancements in the state's transportation sector under the current government. He noted that the public now has access to special vehicle registration numbers through e-auction, generating over 11 crore rupees in revenue. Additionally, a centralized inventory management system has been introduced to manage HRTC bus maintenance expenses more efficiently. Last year, the Himachal Path Parivahan Nigam expanded its fleet by adding 210 new buses, including 11 Volvo buses, 18 Innova Crysta vehicles, and 12 tempos, to improve public transportation.
Cabinet rank RS Bali, son of the late GS Bali, welcomed the chief guest and expressed gratitude for his presence at the event. The ceremony also saw tributes paid to GS Bali by former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Digvijay Singh and former Minister Jaivardhan Singh, who reminisced about Bali's impactful work.
Other dignitaries present included Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, AYUSH Minister Yadavendra Goma, CPS Kishori Lal, CPS Ashish Butel, and MLA Malendra Rajan.