PANAJI
Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited under the Panaji Smart City Project, launched a fleet of electric buses to ply on internal routes and outer circle of the city. Two months ago Chief Minister Pramod Sawant along with Chairman of KTCL Ulhas Tuenkar and Minister for Transport Mauvin Godinho launched these EVs at service of people, according to a DIP press release.
KTCL has procured 48 Electric buses to ply on various routes in and around the city. Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) has funded 22 EVs and 26 EVs are procured from the funds allotted by the Central Government under Goa@60.
Earlier, out of 48 electric buses nearly half numbers were operational since July 1, 2024 on routes named as Green, Blue, and Yellow for the convenience of commuters to identify the buses. These buses are available at intervals of 15 minutes during peak hours and at 20 to 30 minutes for odd hours.
Green Route buses ply onwards from Panaji Bus stand passing through Panaji Post Office, Fazenda Building, Church Square, Portuguese Consulate, All India Radio, St.Inez Junction, Kala Academy, Divja Circle and back to Bus Stand, says a DIP press release.
Buses plying on Blue route cover Azad Maidan, Don Bosco, St Inez Junction 18th June Road, Church Square, OldPatto Bridge etc. Similarly buses plying on Yellow routes travel outer circle of city such as Panaji Ferry, Market, Miramar Beach, Goa Science Centre, Dona Paula Circle, Goa University, GMC, St Cruz Church, Mala lake etc and back to Panaji Bus stand. Green and Blue routes were operational two weeks after its commencement.
Now, since two weeks KTCL has made operational remaining routes namely Orange, Violet, Red and Indigo which is covering destinations surrounded by the city occupying all its 48 EVs. Buses on Orange route dedicated to areas such as Mala lake, Neugi Nagar Bhatlem, Shankarwadi Taleigao St Agostianho Junction etc, says a DIP press release.
Buses on the Violet Route ferry commuters via Mala lake, T.B hospital, Kala Academy, Panaji ferry, Divja circle. Similarly, Indigo route have EVs plying till Cujira School Complex, Bambolim via Kala Academy,Tamdi Mati, Bhatlem, GMC etc. and EVs dedicated to Red route operates from Panaji Market to back via Kala Academy, Miramar, Taleigao Market, Dona Paula Circle, Caranzalem Junction.
Adding another feather to this swift transport system IPSCDL and KTCL launched Smart Transit Card (STC) and travel-aid app TUMMOC for commuters travelling through electric buses in the Panaji city. The TUMMOC app enables passengers to book online ticket seamlessly with QR-Code validation system ensuring its security and convenience.
As disclosed by the Chief Minister during the launching ceremony of EV buses in the City, Government has plans to put in place an e-transportation system in the State for which Government intends to introduce a subsidy scheme for rickshaw drivers and motorcycle pilots to replace their vehicles with Electric ones. Besides Government is also focusing on building EV charging facilities in the state
