Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Feb 25: The e-bus service, currently operational in Srinagar, will soon be extended to other districts, including Kupwara and Bandipora, officials said today.
Considering the demand and positive response from the public, officials stated that the Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) is working on a plan to enhance inter-district connectivity.
“We are planning this expansion based on the feedback received from people. A few issues are being resolved, and once addressed, the service will be extended to these districts as well,” Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SSCL, Dr. Owais Ahmad, told Excelsior.
He added that they expect 100 more e-buses to arrive in Srinagar soon under a centrally sponsored scheme, which will facilitate the expansion to adjacent districts, apart from strengthening the existing services.
“We have been promised 100 new e-buses under this scheme. The process is currently in the tendering phase, and once completed, these buses will be available in Srinagar,” he said.
The existing e-bus service, apart from operating on identified routes within Srinagar, is also serving the adjacent Ganderbal district, catering to the needs of daily commuters.
People have welcomed the initiative of extending the services, stating that it will be beneficial for those who travel to Srinagar from districts like Kupwara and Bandipora daily.
Meanwhile, residents of various areas in Srinagar have been demanding an increase in the frequency of buses on certain routes to enhance mobility, an issue that remains unaddressed.
However, officials noted that the availability of more e-buses would not only enable them to expand services to other districts but also help in increasing the frequency on existing routes.
“When we receive the additional 100 buses, which is expected soon, we will be able to enhance the current services and expand further,” the CEO said.
To further improve commuting in Srinagar, the authorities are already working on establishing 360 modern bus stops in the city, initially focusing on routes currently served by the ‘Srinagar Bus’-the iconic red bus.
The post Srinagar e-bus service to expand to Kupwara, Bandipora appeared first on Daily Excelsior.