Dharamshala, Sept. 12 -- As many as 8,518 passengers were transported in 196 special buses of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) after heavy rains recently stranded thousands of devotees of the Manimahesh Yatra in Chamba district. During the Yatra, the Chamba-Bharmour route remained blocked for several days due to heavy rains and landslides, leaving a large number of devotees stranded midway and at various places, including Chamba town. In view of the situation, HRTC took immediate steps and provided special bus services to ensure the safe and convenient movement of the devotees. Dharamshala HRTC divisional manager Pankaj Chadha, while speaking to the media on Thursday, said the operation of these buses helped the devotees reach their destinations on time. "From August 29 to September 6, a total of 196 special buses were run by the corporation, in which about 8,518 passengers traveled and reached their destinations. Out of these, a maximum of 171 buses were operated from Chamba to Pathankot, carrying thousands of devotees," he said.htc...