Chandigarh, May 7:The Hon’ble Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, today flagged off 40 newly inducted interstate buses of the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) as the Chief Guest, marking a significant milestone in strengthening and modernizing the region’s public transportation system.

Also present during the event were Chief Secretary Shri H. Rajesh Prasad as the Guest of Honour, Director General of Police Dr. Sagar Preet Hooda, Finance-cum-Transport Secretary Shri Diprava Lakra, and Director Transport-cum-Divisional Manager, CTU, Shri Avikesh Gupta.

Addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble Administrator highlighted the remarkable journey of public transport since the foundation of the present transport system, which was laid with a modest fleet of 30 buses. Over the past 60 years, CTU has evolved into a robust and reliable public service provider.

The Hon’ble Administrator stated that CTU should focus on connecting every district headquarters of Punjab and Haryana so that the public can be easily connected with Chandigarh.

With the induction of these 40 new interstate buses, the total fleet strength of CTU has reached 657 buses. Out of these, 398 buses are deployed on local routes, while 259 buses operate on long routes, connecting Chandigarh with neighbouring states and enhancing regional connectivity. This augmentation is expected to improve service frequency, reduce passenger waiting time, and provide greater convenience to commuters.

Emphasizing the importance of public transport in economic growth, the Hon’ble Administrator stated that an efficient transport system is vital for mobility, trade, employment, and social inclusion. The expansion of CTU services will further strengthen connectivity across urban and rural areas, supporting overall regional development.

Reaffirming the Administration’s commitment to sustainability, it was informed that 140 electric buses are already operational in the CTU fleet. Following the condemnation of 100 diesel buses from Depot-IV, CTU ensured uninterrupted local services by deploying buses from Depot-I as an interim arrangement. Out of the 100 sanctioned electric buses for Depot-IV, 60 buses have already been inducted and are operational, while the remaining 40 buses are scheduled to be added by June 2026.

Furthermore, 328 additional electric buses have been sanctioned under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme. The delivery of these buses is expected to commence from October 2026, as the e-tender has already been floated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) through CESL. By the end of 2027–28, all city diesel bus services are planned to be replaced with electric buses. This initiative underscores the Administration’s commitment to promoting eco-friendly, sustainable, and green public transport in the city.

To further enhance passenger safety and service reliability, CTU is set to introduce an Intelligent Transport System (ITS) for long-route operations, as approved by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India.

The Hon’ble Administrator appealed to citizens to make maximum use of public transport, stating that it would help reduce the number of vehicles on roads, lower pollution, and decrease carbon emissions per person. He urged citizens to take a small pledge to use only public transport at least one day every week instead of private vehicles.

The Hon’ble Administrator also appreciated the dedicated efforts of CTU officers, employees, and all stakeholders who have contributed to the growth and success of the organization. Gratitude was extended to the citizens for their continued trust and support in using public transport services.

The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the Administration’s vision to provide accessible, efficient, safe, and environmentally sustainable public transport for all.

DETAILS OF BUS SERVICES TO BE STARTED/RESUMED