After a wait of nearly 18 months and strong opposition from employees, the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) has revised parking charges for Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) buses operating from Dehradun ISBT. The new rates will take effect from September 1.
According to an order issued by the MDDA Secretary, the parking fee for UTC buses has been increased from Rs 120 to Rs 250 for the first trip, with an additional 18 per cent GST. This means buses will now pay Rs 286 for the first four hours. For the second trip, the fee will be Rs 177, while the third and fourth trips will cost Rs 118 each.
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For long stays (4 to 24 hours), the fee will be Rs 375 for the first trip, Rs 225 for the second, and Rs 150 for the third and fourth, plus GST. In comparison, buses of other state transport corporations already pay higher rates, with the first trip costing Rs 480 (Rs 566 including GST).
The MDDA had earlier revised fees in April 2024, but the hike for UTC buses was put on hold after protests by employees and intervention by the Transport Secretary. A committee was subsequently formed, and based on its report, the new structure has now been enforced.
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Vice-Chairman of MDDA, Banshidhar Tiwari, said the revised charges were necessary as significant funds have been spent on the ISBT’s improvement and beautification since MDDA took over operations from the Ramky Company in August 2023.
However, the move has again drawn criticism. Uttaranchal Roadways Employees Union General Secretary Ashok Chaudhary has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the hike, calling it burdensome.