Guwahati Accelerates Green Mobility with New Electric Buses
In a significant push towards eco-friendly public transport, Guwahati is set to transform two of its major traffic arteries into fully operational green corridors. The transport authorities have announced the introduction of 50 new electric buses on the routes from Khanapara to Dharapur and Basistha to Amingaon.
This ambitious project, a key part of the central government's PM e-Bus Sewa initiative, will see these zero-emission vehicles replace 50 old diesel buses by January. The move comes shortly after the state received approval from the Centre for a total of 100 e-buses, marking a pivotal moment for sustainable urban mobility in the region.
Seamless Transition Without Added Congestion
A senior official from the transport department has assured commuters that the new e-buses will not exacerbate the city's notorious traffic problems. Permits for a similar number of private diesel buses currently operating on these routes are set to expire by January, creating a seamless replacement cycle.
These older, polluting diesel buses are likely to be reassigned to other routes, ensuring no reduction in overall public transport capacity. The focus, however, remains firmly on making the Khanapara-Dharapur and Basistha-Amingaon routes models of clean transportation.
A Stepping Stone to a Fully Electric Future
Biju Deka, the chief general manager of ASTC, emphasized the broader vision behind this initiative. He stated that once the majority of buses on these two corridors are electric, it will represent a significant leap towards city-wide e-mobility. The ultimate goal is to operate these routes exclusively with 100% electric buses.
This project aligns perfectly with the larger Electric Vehicle Policy of Assam, 2021. The state government has already committed to transitioning all existing public transport and government vehicles to electric by 2030. A primary objective of this policy is to dramatically improve air quality in Assam by cutting down emissions from the transport sector.
The policy ambitiously aims to drive the rapid adoption of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), targeting that they constitute 25% of all new vehicle registrations by 2026. Furthermore, it seeks to introduce at least two lakh electric vehicles within five years through various buyer incentives, fostering a robust ecosystem for manufacturing EV components within Assam itself.
This transformation of key routes on the busy Guwahati-Shillong road is more than just an upgrade; it's a clear signal of Guwahati's commitment to a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable urban future.
