IEP Chandigarh, January 28
The historic city of Panipat witnessed another significant milestone for sustainable and convenient Transport today, after the Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal inaugurated the Electric City Bus Service from the new bus stand in Siwah, Panipat. The objective of this initiative is not only to provide convenient transportation to the people of the state but also to reduce environmental pollution. On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced that the first seven days of traveling in these Electric buses will be free, encouraging people to opt for public transportation over private vehicles. The routes of the City Bus Service will be carefully planned, taking into consideration the demands and needs of the city residents.
Presently, three electric city buses have been introduced in Panipat, and soon, five more buses will be added to the fleet. The fare for the City Bus Service will range from Rs. 10 to Rs. 50, and the route will cover a distance of 28 to 30 kilometers. The City Bus Service will be systematically expanded to the villages surrounding the city, informed the Chief Minister after launching the bus service.
The Chief Minister extended best wishes to the people of Panipat on the commencement of the City Bus Service and personally travelled on the bus. He was accompanied by Rajya Sabha MP, Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar, MP, Sh. Sanjay Bhatia, Panipat City MLA, Sh. Pramod Vij, and the Principal Secretary, Transport Department, Sh. Navdeep Virk.
The Chief Minister shared that the Siwah bus stand is closely connected to him, as he had inaugurated it on July 18, 2023. Today, the Panipat City Bus Service commences from this very location, promising significant benefits to both city and rural residents, he said.
In the state, operation of 450 modern, environmentally friendly electric buses will also be started, CM
The Chief Minister said that after the launch of electric city bus service in Panipat and Jagadhri, the government aims to start electric city bus services in seven cities, including Panchkula, Ambala, Sonipat, Rewari, Karnal, Rohtak, and Hisar, by June 2024.
Notably, the Chief Minister, who also holds the portfolio of Finance Minister, in his budget speech for the fiscal year 2023-24 had announced that city bus services would be initiated in 9 municipal corporations and Rewari city. He personally inaugurated the service today in Panipat. In this series, the existing city bus services in Gurugram, Manesar, and Faridabad will be expanded. This unique project, initiated by any state in the country, involves 450 modern, environmental friendly electric buses, and the project, costing more than 2450 crores over 12 years, is a significant step towards pollution-free environment, said Sh. Manohar Lal.
Travelling in Haryana Transport buses is the first choice for travelers from other states, CM
The Chief Minister shared that every day, 11 lakh people travel on Haryana Transport buses covering a distance of 11 lakh kilometers. Currently, 4651 buses including 562 buses under the Kilometre scheme and 1300 permit buses are operating.
He further shared that significant work has been done in the past 9 years to enhance road, rail, and air connectivity in the state. Every district is now connected to the national highway. Emphasis has been placed on constructing grade-separated rail tracks for seamless rail connectivity. A five-kilometer elevated railway track has been operationalized in Rohtak, and work is progressing in Kurukshetra and Kaithal, said the Chief Minister.
He informed that over the past 9 years, 72 ROBs (Railway Over Bridges) and RUBs (Railway Under Bridges) have been constructed, and 52 projects are in progress. In the last 9 years, 33,000 kilometers of roads were maintained and repaired, with an expenditure of Rs. 20,000 crores. Additionally, 7,000 kilometers of new roads were constructed at a cost of Rs 4,000 crores. The National Highway Authority of India has also spent 50,000 crores on road construction, said Sh. Manohar Lal.
The Chief Minister said that approval has been granted by the Indian government for the construction of an expressway to enhance connectivity from Panipat to Dabwali in the east-west direction. He highlighted the recruitment of approximately 3500 drivers and conductors in Haryana Roadways over the past 9 years. Furthermore, through Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam, 1500 drivers and conductors have been recruited.
A Rapid Rail Transport System will be developed from Delhi Sarai Kale Khan to Panipat, CM
The Chief Minister said that a Rapid Rail Transport System, similar to the metro, will be initiated from Delhi Sarai Kale Khan to Panipat, with efforts to expand it up to Karnal. Alongside the Kundli-Manesar Expressway, Haryana is also launching the Haryana Orbital Rail Service, enhancing connectivity from Kundli to Panipat. This development aims to provide better transportation facilities for the people, he said. Besides this, Haryana will have its own airport in Hisar, connected to Delhi through the Fast Track Expressway. The construction of the Hansi-Rohtak railway track is also underway, providing direct fast connectivity from Hisar to Delhi, said Sh. Manohar Lal.
The Chief Minister said that Haryana has become a preferred destination for investors both nationally and internationally. He stated that the state government has simplified the ease of doing business in its industrial policy to promote industry growth and provide employment opportunities for local youth.
New bus stands will be constructed for electric buses in 7 cities at a cost of Rs. 110 crores
The Principal Secretary, Transport Department, Sh. Navdeep Virk apprised the Chief Minister that new bus stands for electric buses will be built in 3-acre plots in each of the 7 cities of the state, with a total cost of Rs. 110 crores, and they will be equipped with charging facilities. He further shared that the state government has appointed Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) as its consultant for the bus tendering process under the Ministry of Power, Government of India. Following a global tendering process conducted by CESL under the National E-Bus Plan, an order for 375 buses (12 meters each) was placed, which will be used for operating under this city bus service. In addition to these, mini-buses will also be introduced, shared Sh. Navdeep Virk.
