DTDC Express Partners with HRTC to Transform Last-Mile Delivery in Himachal's Remote Mountains

DTDC Express has entered into a strategic partnership with Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), aiming to address the long-standing issue of last-mile connectivity in some of India’s most remote and mountainous areas.

According to a company statement, the collaboration will leverage HRTC’s widespread passenger bus network—considered the backbone of transportation in the state—enabling DTDC to move courier consignments across challenging terrain with improved speed and consistency.

The initiative is built around an integrated distribution model, where sealed DTDC consignments will be transported through designated HRTC bus routes. By utilising existing public transport infrastructure, the partnership creates a more dependable supply chain, particularly in regions where conventional freight services often face operational hurdles.

In its initial phase, the rollout will cover key routes including Shimla to Rampur, Rampur to Reckong Peo, Shimla to Chidgaon, and Shimla to Karsog, connecting critical interior locations.

Abhishek Chakraborty, CEO of DTDC Express, said, "By integrating HRTC’s transport connectivity with DTDC’s robust express network, we are bringing integrated logistics services closer to communities in even the most remote regions of the state."

From the public sector perspective, Nipun Jindal (I.A.S), Managing Director of HRTC, highlighted the economic upside for the corporation. He stated that the agreement, signed on February 24, 2026, is expected to generate additional non-fare revenue by effectively utilising available luggage space on buses.

The agreement is structured around three key pillars: safety-first, ensuring secure movement of sealed consignments with DTDC handling packaging and compliance while HRTC oversees transportation; tracking and accountability, with defined handover processes at delivery points to maintain service continuity and parcel safety; and asset optimisation, which focuses on using existing state infrastructure to extend organised express logistics services to underserved rural regions without the need for new infrastructure development.