PANAJI
The State government has allowed local buses to operate alongside Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited’s (KTCL) e-buses on Smart City routes subject to approval from the Regional Transport Office (RTO), Panaji.
This decision was submitted before the Bombay High Court at Goa in response to a petition filed by private bus operators opposing a scheme that restricted bus operations in Panaji to e-buses only.
During the hearing on Tuesday, the Bench was informed that as per the existing government scheme, KTCL held exclusive rights to operate its e-buses under the Smart City mission. However, the government thereafter amended the scheme allowing private bus operators to apply for permission from the RTO to ply their buses on city roads. The Court disposed of the petition, accepting the submission.
The Transport Department has implemented the colour-coded KTCL electric on different routes within and outskirts of Panaji. With an entire fleet of 48 e-buses operational, these comprise new large electric buses (49 seaters), electric minibuses (26 seaters), electric microbuses (14 seaters) and electric buggies (11 seaters).
Meanwhile, the State also identified 161 bus shelters of which 18 shelters will have ticket vending machines. Moreover, the government is also focusing on building EV charging facilities in the State.
