IEP Chandigarh, January 29
Haryana Minister of Transport and Higher Education, Sh. Mool Chand Sharma, stated that the government is initiating electric bus services in 9 cities of the state. The first phase will see the operation of these buses in the municipal corporations of Panipat and Yamunanagar. Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal recently inaugurated the service from the bus stand in Panipat. The government has entered into a 12-year agreement with the JBM company for this city bus service. Under this agreement, the government will spend Rs. 2450 crores over 12 years. All the expenses of the bus will be borne by the company, Haryana Roadways will manage the operations.
Today, Sh. Mool Chand Sharma initiated the electric bus service from Jagadhri Bus Stand by cutting a ribbon at the bus gate. He personally travelled on the bus with officers and other dignitaries to inspect the facility. He stated that Haryana is ahead in the country to introduce electric city bus services. The fare for citizens using this bus will be affordable. The state has purchased 375 electric buses, which are eco-friendly. Yamunanagar will receive 50 electric buses soon, he added.
The Transport Minister highlighted the increased trust of passengers in Haryana Roadways during the present government’s tenure. The state has a fleet of around 4,150 buses. To address the shortage of staff, the Haryana government has recruited 3500 drivers and conductors in Roadways and 1500 drivers and conductors have been recruited through Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam. He stated that Haryana Roadways caters approximately 11 lakh passengers who travel 11 lakh kilometers daily.
Principal Secretary, Transport Department, Sh. Navdeep Singh Virk, expressed gratitude to the guests and acknowledged the continuous progress of the Transport Department under the guidance of Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal and the strenuous efforts of Transport Minister, Sh. Mool Chand Sharma. The government has procured pollution-free buses to curb increasing pollution in Haryana. City bus services will commence in localities like Panipat, Yamunanagar, Panchkula, Ambala, Karnal, Sonipat, Rewari, Rohtak, and Hisar in the first phase. The initiative has started in Panipat and Yamunanagar, with services in other districts scheduled to begin by June. Separate city bus service depots are being constructed at a cost of Rs. 115 crores in all 9 cities, equipped with ultra modern facilities.
He further stated that for the first 7 days, the bus service will be free for residents, as announced by the Chief Minister in Panipat. The fare for the bus will range between Rs. 10 to Rs. 50. In Yamunanagar, the fare will be Rs. 10 for 1 to 5 kilometers, Rs. 15 for 5 to 8 kilometers, and Rs. 20 for 8 to 20 kilometers.
