ELECTRIC BUSES FOR SMART PANAJI GAINS DECENT RESPONSE A STEP FORWARD FOR GOA TOWARDS LOW CARBON FUTURE

-SanghmitraFaldessai

Information Assistant,
Department of Information & Publicity.

If you are a daily commuter to Panjim city, must be glad to seea visible change at the Kadamba Bus Terminus where a fleet ofElectric buses isatservice to ferry commuters through internal and outer parts of the Panjim, offering relief to people from chaotic public transport to a great extent.

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 Dr. PramodSawantalongwith Chairman of KTCL Shri. UlhasTuenkar and Minister for Transport Shri.MauvinGodinho launched these EVs at service of people which has ushered new chapter in the journey of public transport in Capital city that aims to have hassle free, disciplined, environment friendly transport system in the place adding in more comfort for commuters.

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 for 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.

Buses plying on Blue route coverAzad 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 lakeetc and back to Panaji Bus stand. Green and Blue routes were operational two weeks later of its commencement.

Now, since two weeks KTCL has made operational remaining routes namelyOrange, 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, ShankarwadiTaleigaoSt.Agostianho Junction etc.

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,TamdiMati, 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 of now 161 stops have been identified as a part of bus transport project under Smart City. The idea is to ensure thatcommuters should avail service of electric bus at minimal walking distance. The network of electric buses by KTCL on internal routes of the city such as AzadMaidan, Don Bosco, Market, St. Inez, Kala Academy and internal parts of city via Junta House, Church Squarehas brought in more connectivity within the city.EV buses deployed onAltinho, Dona Paula, Goa University are very much preferred by student community. More so, it has made more convenient for the people to commute within city easily. Within short period of two months electric buses started gaining decent response from the commuters, resulting E-buses are seenplying with passengers to its full capacityduring peak hours. Electric bus service also proved to be more convenient and cozy for the tourists to move in and around the city.

Growing preference for electric buses by the commuters canreduce dependency on other modes of transport such as rickshaw or motorcycle pilot saving money for the commuters.It will also discourage people to travel in the city with own vehicles which makes the internal roads more busy causing traffic congestion during Office hours. The network of EVs can add on aesthetic to the landscape of the city reducing Carbon Footprint.

Deployment of EVs on the roads of Panjim city by the KTCL has turned new chapter for the State Government towards adoption of EVs for road transportation which will contribute to environment restoration by dropping down carbon emission to greater extend.

Now, Electric bus transport under Smart City project is in initial phase. Frequent occurrences of traffic jam are hindering the smooth functioning of electric buses network. Once the obstructions in the way of seamless green transport is identified and problems are resolved and further the requisite infrastructure is put in place, Panaji city will definitely have wonderful smart transport system to its credit.

As disclosed by the Chief Minister, Dr. PramodSawant 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.

Buses are significant part of road transport thus adoption of electric buses can fairly contribute in curbing air pollution. This initiative all together may lead to transition of public transport of Goa towards a low carbon future.

DIP/NB/AXP/SF/2024/550