Latest news with #AtulVerma
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
BSRTC to launch app-based ticketing system for all buses
Passengers can now book tickets for all buses operated by the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) through an online platform with the department preparing to launch its own dedicated app. The new facility will allow users to book seats, choose their preferred seat, view live availability and cancel tickets – all from their cellphones without the need for a physical ticket. The announcement was made on Saturday during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Canara Bank, which, along with Worldline, will manage the online ticketing system. BSRTC administrator Atul Verma said around 100 buses would be brought under the pilot phase this month. From next month, the entire fleet will transition to the new online system. "Earlier, such a facility existed only for select interstate buses, such as Patna-Ranchi or Patna-Ghaziabad, and booking was managed by a private agency. Now, with our own app, intrastate bookings can also be done online," he said. "This facility will be of great help. People sitting anywhere can book tickets, view their booking status, check seat availability and choose the seat of their choice through live updates. If needed, they can cancel the ticket as well. All this can be done via cellphone and passengers will not be required to carry a hard copy of the ticket," Verma added. He said BSRTC currently operates a fleet of 941 buses and is in the process of adding 500 more ahead of Durga Puja. These additional buses will run from administrative divisions in Bihar to major destinations like Delhi, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana – regions where travellers often struggle to reach their hometowns during the festive season. He added that 80 more pink buses will be introduced by the end of Aug. Women drivers will be trained to operate these buses and in partnership with the health department, kiosks will be installed onboard. These kiosks will allow women passengers to purchase sanitary napkins and contraceptive pills at affordable prices. Transport minister Sheela Kumari congratulated her team and Canara Bank officials for facilitating a system that offers greater convenience to the public. She, however, stressed the need to consider the challenges faced by those in rural areas or people who are not familiar with digital platforms. "Be polite with such people who are not able to use the online facility. Alternative ticketing options should continue for those who may find the app difficult to use," she said.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
BSRTC to launch app-based ticketing system for all buses
Patna: Passengers can now book tickets for all buses operated by the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) through an online platform with the department preparing to launch its own dedicated app. The new facility will allow users to book seats, choose their preferred seat, view live availability and cancel tickets – all from their cellphones without the need for a physical ticket. The announcement was made on Saturday during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Canara Bank , which, along with Worldline, will manage the online ticketing system. BSRTC administrator Atul Verma said around 100 buses would be brought under the pilot phase this month. From next month, the entire fleet will transition to the new online system. "Earlier, such a facility existed only for select interstate buses, such as Patna-Ranchi or Patna-Ghaziabad, and booking was managed by a private agency. Now, with our own app, intrastate bookings can also be done online," he said. "This facility will be of great help. People sitting anywhere can book tickets, view their booking status, check seat availability and choose the seat of their choice through live updates. If needed, they can cancel the ticket as well. All this can be done via cellphone and passengers will not be required to carry a hard copy of the ticket," Verma added. He said BSRTC currently operates a fleet of 941 buses and is in the process of adding 500 more ahead of Durga Puja. These additional buses will run from administrative divisions in Bihar to major destinations like Delhi, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana – regions where travellers often struggle to reach their hometowns during the festive season. He added that 80 more pink buses will be introduced by the end of Aug. Women drivers will be trained to operate these buses and in partnership with the health department, kiosks will be installed onboard. These kiosks will allow women passengers to purchase sanitary napkins and contraceptive pills at affordable prices. Transport minister Sheela Kumari congratulated her team and Canara Bank officials for facilitating a system that offers greater convenience to the public. She, however, stressed the need to consider the challenges faced by those in rural areas or people who are not familiar with digital platforms. "Be polite with such people who are not able to use the online facility. Alternative ticketing options should continue for those who may find the app difficult to use," she said.
Indian Express
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘What I got is far higher than parade, I stood by values, integrity of police dept'
On the last day of his service, outgoing DGP Atul Verma termed his affidavit submitted in the Himachal Pradesh High Court in the abetment to suicide case of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (HPPCL) chief engineer Vimal Negi based on facts. He added that he had prepared it with honesty and to maintain the integrity of Himachal Pradesh police. Talking to The Indian Express, the DGP said that it was not the first time that his affidavit was accepted by the court of law on the basis of merits. 'Earlier in June-July last year, one of my affidavit filed in the HC in the matter of Palampur-based businessman Nishant Sharma, who alleged threat to his life by the serving and retired police officials, was also accepted by the former Chief Justice,' he said. The 1991 batch IPS officer, however, declined to reply if he was under pressure to make changes in the affidavit filed in the chief engineer's death. When asked about SP Shimla Sanjeev Gandhi's allegations that his office staff was involved in drug peddling, Verma said, 'Who stopped him to act against anyone? Anybody can investigate any allegation. The guilty should be punished.' On being pointed out that he was not given an official farewell parade, the outgoing DGP said, ' What I received today is far higher than the parade. I stood by the values, integrity and honesty of an institution (police department).' Elaborating on the affidavit, Verma added that it was prepared in the presence of three senior police officers, including two of ADGP rank. 'If somebody has a problem with it then he/she can challenge it in the court of law,' he said. He, however, chose not to comment when asked why he was being sent on leave and why his recommendation to suspend the Shimla SP was not accepted. 'You should ask these question to the state government,' he said. A senior police officer said, 'Although Verma was given a customary farewell in the police headquarters, the farewell parade and the official farewell party was not organised due to certain reasons. All senior police officers posted in the headquarters were present at the moment when DGP Verma left the police headquarters.' Verma along with Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Onkar Sharma and Shimla SP Sanjeev Gandhi were asked to proceed on leave with immediate effect reportedly due to the fallout of their contradictory replies filed in the HC pertaining to the HPPCL chief engineer death case. While Verma and Sharma proceeded on casual leave, Gandhi went on medical leave. Meanwhile, state government Saturday ordered DGP (Vigilance and ACB) Ashok Tiwari, 1994 batch IPS officer, who is already looking after the additional charge of DGP Himachal Pradesh, will also take charge of DGP (Head of Police Force) with immediate effect. ADGP (Law & Order) Abhishek Trivedi, a 1996 batch IPS officer, was given the additional charge of ADGP (Prisons department) on Saturday. Hours after outgoing DGP Atul Verma issued recommendation of DGP Disc Award-2024 for 172 police personnel, officiated DGP Ashok Tewari withdraw the order with immediate effect on Saturday. The communication issued from the office of DGP Ashok Tewari states, 'The order issued regarding awarding of DGP Disc to the officer/officials is hereby withdrawn with immediate effect.'
News18
31-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Disc Award conferred by outgoing Himachal DGP withdrawn
Last Updated: Shimla, May 31 (PTI) The order to confer the Director General of Police (DGP) Disc Award on 172 police officers in recognition of their outstanding work in 2024 was withdrawn on Saturday. This came after DGP Atul Verma, who issued this order, retired on Saturday. Verma, a 1991-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, served as the DGP since 2024. The order to confer the Disc Award was withdrawn and the post in this regard shared on Facebook was also removed. Verma, who proceeded on leave earlier on Wednesday along with Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Onkar Sharma and Shimla Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, returned on Friday. The three were on Tuesday asked to proceed on leave after a meeting held here by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu with senior officials. The discussion during the meeting focused on the issue related to the high court's order to transfer Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) chief engineer Vimal Negi's death case to the CBI. This came after the DGP submitted a status report to the high court, questioning the impartiality of the SIT probe. Sukhu had expressed his displeasure over the ongoing tussle between Verma and Gandhi and also with the additional chief secretary for bypassing the advocate general's office while submitting his fact-finding report. First Published: June 01, 2025, 00:45 IST
Hindustan Times
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Himachal DGP Verma retires sans official farewell
Himachal Pradesh director general of police (DGP) Atul Verma got no official farewell on his retirement on Saturday. Also, an order issued by Verma awarding DGP Disc to 172 police personnel was withdrawn hours later. Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had on May 27 directed Verma, additional chief secretary (ACS) Onkar Chand Sharma and Shimla superintendent of police (SP) Sanjeev Gandhi to proceed on leave. The development came amid a slugfest within the state police force triggered by the probe into the death of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) chief engineer-cum-general manager Vimal Negi, who died under suspicious circumstances in March this year. Meanwhile, the government has officially handed over the additional charge of the DGP to IPS Ashok Tiwari. Chief secretary Prabodh Saxena issued related orders on Saturday which mentioned that Tiwari would look after the work of DGP till further orders. The state government had formed a panel of three senior IPS officers — Shyam Bhagat Negi, Ashok Tiwari and Rakesh Agarwal — who are being seen frontrunners for post of DGP. Meanwhile, DGP Atul Verma, before retiring, issued an order awarding DGP Disc to 172 police personnel, but it was soon withdrawn by Tiwari. The order issued by Verma read, 'On the recommendations of the committee constituted for the award of DGP Disc-2024, 172 police officers/ officials were awarded with the DGP Disc in recognition of their outstanding work during year 2024.' DGP (jail) SR Ojha also retired on Saturday. The chief secretary issued an order for handing over the additional charge of the jail department to ADGP (law and order) Abhishek Trivedi.
