Pithoragarh Depot

UTC Pithorgarh Depot

Pithoragarh Depot is one of the oldest and most significant bus depots operated by the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC). Located in the eastern Himalayan district of Pithoragarh, the depot has played a key role in providing road connectivity between remote mountain villages and major cities across Uttarakhand, as well as neighboring states such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

History

Pithoragarh Depot traces its origins to the period before the formation of the state of Uttarakhand, when it operated under the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC). Established in 1970, the depot served as a vital lifeline connecting the remote mountainous region of Pithoragarh in the eastern Himalayas with the rest of the state and the National Capital, Delhi.

In its early years, the depot primarily managed limited yet essential routes such as Pithoragarh–Tanakpur, Pithoragarh–Champawat, and Pithoragarh–Dharchula, catering to both passenger transport and small-scale goods movement.

Following the formation of Uttarakhand in November 2000, the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) was established in 2003. Pithoragarh Depot was subsequently brought under UTC’s administration and gradually expanded its network, introducing longer and more frequent inter-district and inter-state routes.

Routes and Services

Pithoragarh Depot operates approximately 18 daily inter-district and inter-state bus routes, serving over 600 passengers daily. These routes connect Pithoragarh to various destinations across Uttarakhand, neighboring states, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

::- Current Longest Route: Pithoragarh–Dharchula–Seraghat–Delhi

At present, the longest active route operated by the Pithoragarh Depot is the Pithoragarh–Dharchula–Seraghat–Delhi service. This route also spans a five-day round trip, with the first leg covering 100 km from Pithoragarh to Dharchula, and the second leg comprising a 583 km journey to Delhi via Seraghat. This route plays a crucial role in linking border regions of Uttarakhand with the national capital.

::- Former Longest Route: Pithoragarh–Munsiyari–Bageshwar–Delhi

Previously, the depot operated one of its longest and most challenging routes: Pithoragarh–Munsiyari–Bageshwar–Delhi. This extensive service covered approximately 1,460 km over five days, starting with a 127 km journey from Pithoragarh to Munsiyari, followed by a long route from Munsiyari to Delhi via Bageshwar. Due to operational changes, this route is now managed by the Bageshwar Depot.

Fleet and Infrastructure

Pithoragarh Depot currently operates a fleet of approximately 90 buses, including 28 latest BS-VI compliant buses, 16 BS-IV buses, and the remaining are BS-III standard vehicles. This diverse fleet enables the depot to serve both long-distance and regional routes efficiently.

The depot features its own workshop located in Pithoragarh, which has been recently constructed and equipped with modern facilities to ensure timely maintenance and repairs. This workshop plays a crucial role in maintaining the safety and reliability of the fleet.

In the city of Pithoragarh, the main bus station serves as the central hub for boarding and alighting passengers. Additionally, construction is underway for a new bus station aimed at improving passenger amenities and operational capacity.

Operations and Management

Pithoragarh Depot operates under the Tanakpur region, one of the three administrative regions of the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC). The other two regions are Dehradun and Nainital. The main workshop servicing the Pithoragarh Depot is located in Tanakpur, where major repairs and maintenance are conducted.

The depot employs around 350 staff members, including drivers, conductors, mechanics, and administrative personnel. This dedicated team works together to ensure smooth and efficient operations.

Cultural Significance

Pithoragarh Depot is the most famous depot of the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) and is considered the pride of Pithoragarh district. It is known for its many beautifully decorated buses, featuring traditional symbols like tridents (Trishul) and double-edged swords (Khanda) that showcase local culture and pride. The drivers and staff are hardworking and take great pride in decorating their buses, a tradition that has been part of the depot’s culture for many years. This practice adds a unique identity to the region’s transport services.

Modes of Service Delivery

Passengers can access Pithoragarh Depot services through multiple convenient booking platforms provided by the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC):

::- Online Booking Portal:

Tickets can be reserved through the official UTC website, allowing for easy and secure online booking.

::- Booking Counters:

Physical ticket counters are available at the Pithoragarh bus station and major transit points across the route network.

::- Pathik Mobile App:

UTC’s official Pathik app allows passengers to check bus schedules, track buses, and book tickets using their smartphones.

::- RedBus:

Selected UTC routes operated by the Pithoragarh Depot are also available on third-party platforms like RedBus, offering passengers more flexibility and booking convenience.

Timetable


UTC PITHORAGARH DEPOT TIMETABLE

S.NO	ROUTES	TIME
		DEPARTURE	RETURN
1	Pithoragarh - Tanakpur - Haridwar	5:00 AM	5:00 AM
2	Pithoragarh - Tanakpur - Delhi	5:30 AM	5:00 AM
3	Pangla - Dharchula - Pithoragarh - Bareilly	6:00 AM	8:00 AM
4	Dharamghar - Thal - Pithorgarh - Delhi	6:00 AM	4:30 PM
5	Dharchula - Kanalichina - Pithoragarh	6:00 AM	2:30 PM
6	Madkot - Pithoragarh - Tanakpur - Dehradun	6:00 AM	1:30 PM
7	Didihat - Pithoragarh - Danya - Delhi	6:30 AM	6:00 PM
8	Pithoragarh - Gangolihat - Almora - Delhi	7:00 AM	4:00 PM
9	Dharchula - Didihat - Seraghat - Delhi	7:00 AM	4:30 PM
10	Jhulaghat - Pithoragarh - Tanakpur - Dehradun	7:00 AM	2:30 PM
11	Jhulaghat - Pithoragarh - Tanakpur - Delhi	8:00 AM	4:00 PM
12	Pithoragarh - Tanakpur - Bareilly	8:00 AM	4:00 AM
13	Dharchula- Pithoragarh - Tanakpur - Delhi	8:00 AM	5:30 PM
14	Pithoragarh - Danya - Ramnagar - Dehradun	8:30 AM	6:45 PM
15	Pithoragarh - Tanakpur - Pilibhit - Lucknow	9:30 AM	4:30 PM
16	Pithoragarh - Tanakpur - Haridwar - Dehradun	10:00 AM	5:00 PM
17	Pithoragarh - Tanakpur - Delhi - Gurugram	11:00 AM	8:00 PM
18	Pithoragarh - Tanakpur - Haridwar - Dehradun	11:00 AM	3:30 PM
19	Pithoragarh - Ogla - Dharchula - Pangla	11:00 AM	6:00 AM
20	Pithorgarh - Thal - Pankhu - Dharamghar	12:00 PM	6:00 AM
21	Pithoragarh - Tanakpur - Delhi	1:00 PM	6:30 PM
22	Pithoragarh - Ogla - Jauljibi - Madkot	1:30 PM	6:00 AM
23	Pithoragarh - Ogla - Didihat	2:00 PM	6:30 AM
24	Pithoragarh - Ogla - Dharchula i	2:30 PM	8:00 AM
25	Pithoragarh - Ogla - Dharchula ii	3:30 PM	6:00 AM
26	Pithoragarh - Wadda - Jhulaghat I	3:00 PM	7:00 AM
27	Pithoragarh - Wadda - Jhulaghat II	4:30 PM	8:00 AM