Electric buses to operate on 15 intra-city and two inter-city routes, covering a minimum distance of 200 kilometres each day from 8 am to 8 pm
Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, unveiled Srinagar Smart City's fleet of 100 electric buses, marking a significant step towards achieving carbon neutrality.
Sinha officially launched the electric buses as part of the Srinagar Electric Bus Project and commenced the operation of 75 e-buses from the Nishat Bus Terminal, according to an official spokesperson.
These electric buses are slated to operate on 15 intra-city and two inter-city routes, covering a minimum distance of 200 kilometres each day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., the spokesperson explained.
During the event, Sinha extended his congratulations to Srinagar Smart City Limited and the residents of Srinagar and the surrounding districts. He emphasised the significance of "smart mobility" in optimising transportation services to strike a balance with environmental concerns, making reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for carbon neutrality.
Sinha highlighted Srinagar Smart City Limited's efforts to bring the concept of "modal shift" into practise through an integrated approach, ensuring a seamless transportation experience while contributing to the sustainability of the community.
The Lieutenant Governor underlined that these e-buses, dedicated to the public, will offer a reliable, affordable, sustainable, and secure public transport system for the city of Srinagar and the neighbouring areas.
Furthermore, Sinha instructed officials to guarantee the year-round functionality of the dedicated charging stations for the electric buses.
During the launch event, Sinha expressed gratitude to the Central Government for its support and assistance in enhancing urban transport within the Union Territory.
He also shared his optimism that the dream of a metro rail system in Srinagar and Jammu would soon become a reality.
The electric buses come equipped with Universal Access features, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems, on-board vehicle tracking, CCTV surveillance, and emergency stop facilities. Additionally, a dedicated mobile app and online ticket payment system have been developed for passenger convenience. All buses are integrated with Srinagar Smart City's Integrated Command and Control Centre.
A bus depot is currently under construction at Pantha Chowk, and charging sub-stations have been established to ensure the smooth operation of the electric bus fleet.