Bengal Govt to procure 200 CNG buses before Durga Puja, ₹125 crore allocated

The public's frustration with government bus services is growing day by day. To address this issue, the state transport department has decided to purchase new buses this time. The finance department has recently granted financial approval to the transport department in this regard. According to departmental sources, they will procure three types of large and medium-sized air-conditioned buses. Administratively, these three types of buses have been named Midi, Semi, and Deluxe buses. The transport department intends to bring these new buses onto the roads through a tender process.

The department aims to launch these CNG buses on the roads and commence passenger services before Durga Puja. The finance department has allocated ₹125 crore for the purchase of these 200 new buses. A total of 120 twelve-meter semi-deluxe buses will be purchased, each costing ₹6.5 million. Additionally, fifty deluxe buses of the same size will be procured, each costing ₹7.40 million. Thirty midi buses, which are 9 meters long, will also be purchased, each costing ₹4.2 million.

Last year, the transport department had applied to the finance department for new bus procurement. After receiving approval from the finance department, the transport department breathed a sigh of relief, although there was some delay in the process. Transport Minister Snehashish Chakraborty was recently reprimanded by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in an administrative meeting regarding the state of government transport services. It is believed that following the Chief Minister's reprimand, the transport department engaged in discussions with the finance department and secured approval for the new bus purchase.

After the approval of the new buses, the state cabinet also passed a resolution to recruit 900 bus drivers and conductors. Speaking about the procurement of these new buses, an official from the transport department said, "We not only need to purchase new buses, but we must also ensure that these buses are environmentally friendly." Therefore, after extensive discussions and analysis, the decision was made to procure these 200 CNG-powered buses. "Besides providing passenger services, this initiative will also help the government in curbing environmental pollution."