In Jaipur, a significant development has taken place in the realm of public transportation, as Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari has allocated 500 electric buses to the transport corporations of seven cities in Rajasthan. This decision, accompanied by financial approval for the procurement of these buses, underscores a significant step towards promoting sustainable and eco-friendly transportation solutions in the state.
This allocation of e-buses comes in line with the government’s recent budget announcement, which had earmarked funds for the acquisition of 500 electric buses for both inter-state and city transportation purposes. However, according to the state government’s press release, all 500 electric buses will be dedicated solely to urban bus services in key cities including Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Ajmer, Bikaner, Bharatpur, and Udaipur. It’s worth noting that these buses will be operated and maintained by the Autonomous Government Department through CESL (Convergence Energy Services Limited). The procurement of these 500 e-buses is estimated to cost upwards of Rs 105 crore, as stated in the press release.
This move marks a departure from previous plans, as the Congress government had earlier announced the procurement of 420 e-buses and 80 diesel buses specifically for city transportation. Under this plan, the Jaipur City Transport Corporation Limited (JCTSL) was designated as the nodal agency responsible for acquiring these buses, with a significant portion designated for Jaipur itself. However, with this new allocation, the focus has shifted towards bolstering urban transportation services across multiple cities in Rajasthan.
Transport officials have emphasized the necessity of e-buses, particularly in light of pollution-related norms in Delhi, which led to the closure of certain routes across the state. These buses were subsequently deployed on the Jaipur-Delhi-Jaipur route, necessitating additional e-buses to resume services on the suspended routes.
In conclusion, the allocation of 500 e-buses for urban transportation in seven key cities of Rajasthan marks a significant stride towards promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly modes of public transportation. This initiative not only aligns with the government’s commitment to reducing pollution and carbon emissions but also reflects a concerted effort to modernize and improve public transportation infrastructure in the state.