Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Under the Smart City Mission, smart EV buses with smart ticketing systems were introduced in Panaji on Monday. 48 electric vehicles (EVs) have been purchased by Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd. under the Mission.
The first phase of Panaji’s smart city bus services was launched, with five semi-low-floor 35-seat buses and one 26-seater bus.
“We want to bring an e-transportation system to the state, for which there are also plans to introduce a subsidy scheme for rickshaw drivers and motorcycle pilots to replace their vehicles with electric ones,” stated Chief Minister Pramod Sawant
He further said that in future, e-pilot motorcycles and e-rickshaws will be available.
The June introduction was originally scheduled, but it was delayed because of ongoing work on smart city infrastructure.
Now, the debut has taken place. The state administration gave the High Court assurances that smart city bus services would start on July 1 in response to complaints about city congestion, which gave the initiative impetus.
The buses will travel the route alongside private buses that are in operation. Sawant declared, “Old buses will not be stopped.”
According to Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, private operators operating electric vehicle bus routes were offered alternate routes, but they declined this offer.
“Permit them to plough as well. Which buses to take should be decided by the people, he said.
