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General House meet: Mohali to get city bus service in 6 months, 100 electric buses planned
At present, residents in several parts of the city have limited options for commuting and often depend on private vehicles, taxis and cab services
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In a move that will help reduce congestion on Mohali roads and provide affordable mobility options for commuters in the city, the administration is planning to launch a city bus service within the next six months. Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh announced this on the sidelines of the municipal corporation (MC) House meeting on Monday, stating that all formalities for the service had been completed and the process of putting the plan into action is under way.
The proposed service is expected to address a long-standing gap in Mohali’s public transport system. At present, residents in several parts of the city have limited options for commuting and often depend on private vehicles, taxis and cab services. While Chandigarh Transport Undertaking buses operate on some routes in Mohali, their coverage remains limited and does not extend to all major residential and commercial areas. With the much-touted tricity metro project turning into a lost cause – Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria had in April this year hit the last nail in its coffin stating that even a free bus service would be more economical – the Mohali bus service may emerge as an alternative solution to the growing city’s commuting and traffic issues.
The service would not only make commuting between different parts of Mohali city easier, it would also help those regularly travelling to Chandigarh, Kharar, Zirakpur and other nearby areas.
Plot acquired for bus stand
The MLA said around 100 electric buses will be introduced in the first phase. The infrastructure required for bus operations and passenger facilities will be developed alongside the service.
A dedicated city bus stand has been planned in Phase 11, which is expected to provide a permanent base for the service. Singh said GMADA had leased around 5.5 acres to the MC for 33 years at a nominal rate of ₹1 per year. The land, valued at around ₹200 crore, will be used to develop facilities associated with the operation and maintenance of the buses.
