Guwahati: As a part of the government’s bid towards a pollution-free environment in Assam, state Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday flagged off 200 air-conditioned Electric Buses (e-buses) which will ply across the state capital Guwahati and its adjoining areas. After the launch of 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, the introduction of e-buses reflects the Assam government’s unflinching commitment towards a green public transport system.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarma said that climate change is one of the gravest problems that the world is facing today. Flagging off 200 e-buses on the first day of the year reflects the Assam Government’s unwavering commitment towards a greener environment and more particularly greener Guwahati, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) stated in a press release.
“The state cabinet on August 20, 2021, took a decision to introduce 100 CNG buses and 200 e-buses. In line with the decision, 100 CNG buses were introduced in the year 2023 and on January 1, 2024, witnessed the introduction of 200 more e-buses. As a part of the government’s commitment, Guwahati will completely go for transition to a fully green public transport system in the next two years,” Chief Minister Sarma said.
Fitted with different state-of-the-art facilities, these buses will ply in Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) areas besides Chandrapur, Dharapur, Mirza, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on the outskirts of Guwahati, Kamrup district’s Sualkuchi and Baihata Chariali and Jagiroad in Morigaon district, among others, the release stated.
Moreover, a seamless state-of-the-art charging facility has been integrated for the efficient operation of the buses at Runagar, Betkuchi, Mirza, Baihata Chariali, and Jagiroad. Moreover, e-vehicles will also be introduced in public transport and therefore, the state government is giving subsidies to expedite the introduction of electric vehicles across the segment. The Chief Minister also said that if private parties come forward to set up charging stations, the government will provide adequate support in such ventures. He also called upon every stakeholder to help the government’s concerted efforts to the gradual phasing out of fossil fuel-driven vehicles from Guwahati, the release stated.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is not only leading the nation but also the world in increasing the use of green energy by 500 gigawatts by 2030 and reducing carbon emissions by one billion tonne, the Chief Minister said that the government is working very astutely to bring down carbon emission to zero by 2070. Chief Minister Sarma also said that the state government is taking a lot of measures to curb environmental pollution which will start giving results within 4-5 years, it stated.
The Chief Minister said that considering the security of the people of Guwahati, the state government is working to install 2,000 CCTV cameras across the city. He also asked the Guwahati Smart City Limited to complete the project expeditiously. He also said that as a result of joint operations of the police and the transport department, road accidents came down by 37 per cent in December 2023, the release added
Chief Minister Sarma at the same programme also launched the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC). With this introduction, Assam has become the country’s third state to adopt this Rupay-powered card which would offer customers seamless access to various transport modes. The Chief Minister on the occasion also sought blessings from the people of the state to help the ministers and government officers to enable them to dedicate themselves to the service of the people of Assam, the release further stated.