The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), the state-run transport body of Himachal Pradesh, has completed the hiring of 650 new bus drivers, marking a significant recruitment drive that underscores the continued appeal of government-sector jobs in the hill state. A staggering 2,100 candidates had applied for the limited number of positions, highlighting the intense competition for such posts.
The recruitment process came at a time when HRTC had been grappling with internal tensions. A recent strike scare, driven by grievances over delay in pay revisions and service-related demands among existing staff, had cast a shadow over the corporation's operations. Despite the unrest, the administration moved swiftly to fill the driver vacancies to ensure regular bus services across the state's rugged terrain.
According to officials, the selection process involved written tests, driving skill assessments, and medical examinations before shortlisted candidates were finalised. The newly appointed drivers will be posted across various depots in Himachal Pradesh, where they will operate both interstate and intrastate bus routes connecting remote mountain areas to major towns and cities.
Industry observers note that the ratio of applicants to open positions — roughly three and a half to one — reflects a broader national trend where young workers in India increasingly prefer the stability and benefits of government employment over private-sector opportunities. Economic uncertainty, coupled with layoffs in the corporate sector, has further sharpened the pull of public-sector jobs.
HRTC, established in 1954, is one of the largest state transport undertakings in northern India. It operates thousands of buses serving both urban and rural populations in Himachal Pradesh, making it a critical employer in the state. The latest recruitment is expected to ease the strain on its existing workforce, which has been operating at near-capacity due to chronic driver shortages in recent years.
