Gujarat CM and Deputy CM flag off 182 new buses for all Assembly constituencies in Gandhinagar
Gandhinagar, March 18
Under the leadership of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and the guidance of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation has added another milestone in its commitment to public service with the inauguration of 182 new buses.
According to an official release, the event was held in Gandhinagar, where Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and Minister of State for Transport Pravin Mali flagged off 182 new buses, one for each of the state's 182 Assembly constituencies, for passenger service, in the presence of State Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, and office bearers. The Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister also symbolically handed over keys to the drivers of these new buses.
Gujarat ST Corporation, a vital and accessible mode of transportation for citizens, operates a fleet of over 8,000 buses daily, covering approximately 33 lakh kilometres and providing safe, reliable, and timely services to more than 27 lakh passengers, enabling them to reach their destinations efficiently. During various festivals and religious fairs, additional ST buses are operated to provide transportation facilities, enabling people across the state to celebrate occasions with their families.
The State Government provides financial assistance to the ST Corporation every year for the purchase of new buses. Accordingly, in 2024-25, a total of 1,963 vehicles have been deployed for public service, including 963 Super Express buses, 550 Gurjar Nagari buses, 100 sleeper buses and 350 midi buses.
Under the PPP model, planning has also been undertaken to operate 200 modern Volvo and AC buses. Overall, 1,963 non-AC buses and 200 AC buses have been introduced in phases for public service. Now, an additional 182 buses worth ₹62 crore have been inaugurated for operation.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and other ministers greeted the people and conveyed their best wishes. The event was also attended by Principal Secretary of Transport Hareet Shukla, Transport Commissioner and GSRTC Managing Director Rajender Kumar, along with officials of the ST Corporation.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good step, but I hope this isn't just a pre-election announcement. We need these services to be reliable long-term. The mention of sleeper and AC buses for long routes is very welcome though.
As someone who travels frequently from Gandhinagar to Ahmedabad for work, this is excellent news. More buses mean less crowding and hopefully more punctuality. The ST service is a lifeline for many of us.
Investing ₹62 crore in public transport is a positive move for sustainable development. The scale of operations mentioned—33 lakh km daily for 27 lakh passengers—is impressive. Hope other states take note.
One bus per constituency is a good symbolic gesture, but the real need is on high-density routes. The planning for 200 Volvo AC buses under PPP is the more exciting part. That will boost intercity travel comfort.
This will be a big help during festivals like Navratri and Diwali when everyone is traveling to their native places. The government should ensure proper announcements about these additional services so people can plan. 🙏
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