Gurgaon city bus service to hit the roads soon

The GMDA has a plan to purchase 500 CNG buses to ply in the National capital region (NCR) with a view to boost public transport and mitigate pollution.

The much-awaited Gurgaon city bus service is set to become a reality as the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) and the proposed Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Delhi Integrated Multimodal Transit System Limited (DIMTS) on Tuesday.

The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) and the proposed Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Delhi Integrated Multimodal Transit System Limited (DIMTS) on Tuesday. (HT Photo)

The tie-up is to collaborate on various interventions that support the implementation of mobility solutions for the city, including the city bus transport network.

The GMDA has a plan to purchase 500 CNG buses to ply in the National capital region (NCR) with a view to boost public transport and mitigate pollution.

V Umashankar, commissioner, MCG, said, “DIMTS possesses knowledge and expertise on urban mobility, planning and solution. Through this MoU, we aim to leverage DIMTS’ resources in creating an integrated multimodal public transportation system for the city.”

“We are following the concessionaire model adopted by Delhi, Nagpur, and Bengaluru. DIMTS is a knowledge partner,” he said.

The scope of the MoU covers all areas pertaining to the associated transport infrastructure that include multimodal transport hubs, bus terminals and bus shelters.

Amit Khatri, additional commissioner, MCG, said, “The MoU aims at the introduction of global and local best practices in public transportation to create a seamless transportation network in the city.”

The MoU was signed by Umashankar, who is also the Officer on special duty of GMDA, and M Ramsekhar, MD and CEO of DIMTS, in the presence of Khatri and Gaurav Antil, joint commissioner, MCG.

DS Dhesi, chief secretary Haryana, had on December 20 announced that the GMDA would purchase 500 CNG buses. He had announced this during a presentation on various issues related to pollution control and meeting of NCR Planning Board in New Delhi.

The Haryana cabinet on April 18 approved the GMDA Bill, 2017, but the authority is yet to come into existence as the bill has not been passed in the state assembly.