To provide sustainable and convenient transport facilities and reduce environment pollution, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday inaugurated the Electric City Bus Service at the new bus stand Siwah in Panipat. Encouraging the people to opt for public transportation over private vehicles, the Chief Minister announced that the first seven days of traveling in these electric buses will be free.
The routes of the city bus service will be carefully planned, taking into consideration the demands and needs of the city residents, he said after launching the bus service.
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.
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 Krishan Lal Panwar, MP Sanjay Bhatia, Panipat City MLA Pramod Vij, and the Principal Secretary, Transport Department Navdeep Virk.
The Chief Minister said 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.
Khattar 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 nine municipal corporations and Rewari city. 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 Rs 2,450 crores over 12 years, is a significant step towards pollution-free environment, said Khattar.
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.
Rapid Rail Transport System from Delhi Sarai Kale Khan to Panipat
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, Haryana will have its own airport in Hisar, connected to Delhi through the fast track expressway. The construction of Hansi-Rohtak railway track is also underway, providing direct fast connectivity from Hisar to Delhi, said Khattar.
New Bus Stands to Come Up for Electric Buses in 7 Cities at Rs 110-cr
Principal Secretary (Transport) Navdeep Virk apprised the Chief Minister that new bus stands for electric buses will be built in three-acre plots in each of the seven cities of the state, with a total cost of Rs 110 crores, and they will be equipped with charging facilities.
He 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, Virk added.
