KC NEWS DESK
Srinagar: Launching the Srinagar Smart City’s 100 electric buses on Wednesday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that the dream of a metro rail in Srinagar and Jammu would become a reality soon.
An official spokesman in a statement issued here said that launching the Srinagar Smart City’s 100 electric buses under the Srinagar Electric Bus Project and flagging off a fleet of 75 e-buses at Nishat Bus Terminal, the LG said, “Soon the dream of metro rail in Srinagar and Jammu will become a reality.”
Congratulating the Srinagar Smart City Limited and the residents of Srinagar and adjoining districts on the occasion, he said, “Smart mobility to optimise transportation services for harmonious balance with ecology is our top priority. The addition of 100 e-buses is a big leap to achieve carbon neutrality as per the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
The e-buses would ply on 15 intra-city routes and two inter-city routes and would run a minimum of 200 km per day from 8 am to 8 pm.
Sinha said that the Srinagar Smart City Limited was translating a ‘modal shift’ concept into reality through an integrated approach to provide smooth transportation to people and contribute to the sustainability of society.
He said that the e-buses dedicated to the people today would ensure that daily commuters and office goers have access to reliable, affordable, sustainable, and safe public transport systems for Srinagar city and the connected districts.
The LG directed the officials to ensure dedicated charging stations for e-buses remain functional around the year.
He thanked the Centre for the support and assistance in improving the urban transport in J&K.
The e-buses are equipped with Universal Access and an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system, an on-board vehicle tracking system, CCTV, and an emergency stop facility.
A dedicated mobile app and online ticket payment facility have been developed for the convenience of the passengers.
All the buses are integrated with Srinagar Smart City’s Integrated Command and Control Centre.
A bus depot is coming up at Pantha Chowk and charging sub-stations have been developed for smooth operation of e-buses.
Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Junaid Azim Mattu; Principal Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD) Prashant Goyal; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri; CEO Srinagar Smart City Limited, Athar Aamir Khan; Secretary Transport Department, G Prasanna Ramaswamy, members of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), and officials of civil administration and Tata Motors were also present on the occasion.
