Green drive: UT to procure 358 e-buses in two years

To promote eco-friendly transportation in the city, the UT Administration aims to procure 358 electric buses in two years. Flagging off 60 new ordinary buses of the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) on Makar Sankranti today, Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria emphasised that the launch of the initiative on such a significant day makes it even more special.

“The step is a major milestone in strengthening and modernising public transport in Chandigarh,” he said.

The Governor highlighted CTU’s efforts to promoting eco-friendly transportation and announced that the administration aims to make the CTU fleet 100% electric by 2026-27. He added that this will not only reduce diesel consumption but also significantly improve the city’s air quality. So far, the administration has included 80 electric buses in the fleet, resulting in a saving of 29.81 lakh litres of diesel and a reduction in 7,872 metric tonnes of carbon emissions. Under the PM E-Bus Scheme, 100 more electric buses will soon be added to the fleet.

The 60 new buses come equipped with modern features such as an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), smart card facility and integration with the Tri-City Mobile App. These technologies will allow passengers to check live location of buses, besides schedule and fare details, making their travel more convenient and efficient.

Addressing CTU staff, the Governor suggested that all employees open their salary accounts in same bank. He explained that this would provide them with better insurance facilities, reduce administrative workload for the department and enhance their financial security.

With the fleet expansion, the CTU now has 684 buses. Among these, 438 buses serve urban and suburban routes, while 220 operate on long-distance routes.

The Governor congratulated the CTU for receiving national awards, attributing the achievement to the department’s efficient management. He urged citizens to make greater use of public transport to contribute to environment protection and traffic management.

Senior officials from the Chandigarh Administration, including Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma, Transport Secretary Ajay Chagti and Transport Director Pradyuman Singh, attended the event.

The CTU has launched its services to religious destinations such as Khatu Shyam and Salasar Dham in Rajasthan, Ayodhya, Mathura, Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, Haridwar and Rishikesh in Uttarakhand and Manali in Himachal Pradesh.

It also operates buses to the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi. With total 146 routes, the CTU has daily ridership of nearly 1.43 lakh passengers with the buses covering nearly 1.42 lakh km.