Gujarat, India - Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has taken a public welfare approach to enhance the 'Ease of Living' for residents in the state's cities and metropolitan areas. This initiative involves strengthening urban public transport facilities across Gujarat. Patel has given in-principle approval for the operation of 34 buses in Gandhidham and Botad municipalities under the Chief Minister's Urban Transport Scheme.
Launched in 2018, the Chief Minister's Urban Transport Scheme currently encompasses eight metropolitan municipalities and 22 'A' category municipalities with populations exceeding 100,000. To date, 252 buses have been made operational for 20 'A' category municipalities under the scheme. With Patel's recent approval for 13 buses in Gandhidham and 22 in Botad, all 22 'A' category municipalities in the state are now included in the scheme, providing citizens with more accessible public transport services.
Under the Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shahari Vikas Yojana, an annual allocation of INR 290 crore has been proposed for the Chief Minister's Urban Transport Scheme. Of the targeted total of 2,864 urban buses to be added on a gross cost contract model, 1,250 buses have been added thus far. Consequently, 1,167 buses, including 382 electric and 785 CNG buses, are in operation, with an additional 83 CNG buses serving seven municipal areas.
