![LG Manoj Sinha along with officials flagging off the fleet of new buses under the Srinagar Smart City Project. - Excelsior/Shakeel LG Manoj Sinha along with officials flagging off the fleet of new buses under the Srinagar Smart City Project. - Excelsior/Shakeel](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Page1-6-1-696x375.jpg)
Launches 75 e-buses for Srinagar, 25 more coming
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Nov 1: Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha today said that the Government will cover 50 percent of the fares of the passengers of the newly launched e-buses in Srinagar.
While dedicating 75 e-buses in Srinagar to the people of the city, the LG said: “The Government covers 50 percent of the fares, with only 50 percent to be paid by passengers. This is a significant decision by the Government.”
Sinha said that the new buses are loaded with the latest technology and they will produce zero emissions.
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“Today is a happy day for Srinagar as 75 e-buses have been dedicated for the residents, loaded with the latest technology and facilities. These buses will produce zero emissions, and I’ve been informed that 25 more buses will be added in the next few days, which I believe is a significant blessing for urban mobility that Srinagar Smart City Limited has provided for the residents. I’d like to express my gratitude to the Prime Minister, as it’s thanks to his Government that we can implement such initiatives on the ground,” he said.
The LG said that the smart mobility initiatives in different big cities in India and the changes they bring to people’s lives are remarkable. “Improvements in the transport sector and better road connectivity have connected people, reducing geographical distances and bringing hearts closer. Out of these 100 e-buses, 75 are present here today,” he said.
Sinha asked the TATA Motors to pay the compensation of delay of 5 months by providing better services to the passengers.
“Tata Motors is a respected company, but there is a complaint regarding their delay of 5 months. In exchange for the compensation, we hope people will receive better facilities and won’t face any inconvenience. If they can provide the desired facilities, people will forget the delay. Otherwise, this five-month delay will be a setback,” he said.
“I believe we should be thankful to the Prime Minister, who, in front of the whole world, set the goal for India to be the first country to move towards achieving zero carbon footprints. The environmental impact of these buses and the economic impact of oil imports are well known,” he said.
“The Prime Minister has made special efforts in this regard, and as a result, out of the Rs 100 crores spent on the capital expenditure budget for these buses, around Rs 73 crores have been provided by the Central Government. The operational cost of these buses over the next 12 years will be between Rs 900-950 crores”.
Sinha said that he would like to encourage Tata Motors to maintain a strong relationship with this region, as it has exclusive lithium reserves.
“Jammu and Kashmir is the only region with these reserves. Charging stations have been established, and we must ensure their operation even during the winter,” he added.
Junaid Azim Mattu, Mayor SMC; Prashant Goyal, Principal Secretary Housing & Urban Development Department; Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Athar Aamir Khan, CEO Srinagar Smart City Limited; G. Prasanna Ramaswamy, Secretary Transport Department, ULB members, officials of civil administration and Tata Motors and prominent citizens were present.