In order to give a boost to the public transport system, the residents of Ranchi will soon get shuttle bus service with electric and CNG powered buses plying on the city roads.
As per the directions of the Principal Secretary of the State Urban Development Department Ajay Kumar Singh, the Ranchi Smart City Corporation Limited (RSCCL) has chalked out two routed for the first phase of the proposed bus service.
“It is a pan city project. Bus routes have been identified long with the seating capacity and models. The purpose is to promote public transport among the residents of Ranchi. Keeping the rising pollution levels in mind, electric and CNG buses will be used,” said Ranchi Municipal Commissioner Manoj Kumar.
In the first phase 50 such buses will be functional on two round trip routes. Depending on the distance and the areas to be covered, the number of buses for each route is yet to be finalized. The service is expected to hit the city roads in about six months time.
The first will commence from Kantatoli Chowk and cover a distance of approximately 10 Kms. It will cross areas like Bahu Bazaar, Sujata Chowk, Albert Ekka Chowk, Kutchery Chowk, Circular Road, Lalpur Chowk and Dangratoli Chowk.
The second proposed route will begin from Booty More and cover a stretch of nearly 29 Kms. Crossing Khelgaon roundabout, Sujata Chwk, Rajendra Chowk, Hinoo Chowk, Satellite Chowk, Harmu, Sahjanand Chowk, Ratu Road, Suchna Bhavan, Machli Ghar, and Bariatu Road- this too will be a round trip.
“As per the directives of the principal secretary, the bus service will soon be implemented in the crowded areas. The buses will be available at the identified stops at an interval of about 10 minutes each. This move will also help in boosting the public transport system in the City,” said Amit Kumar, public relations officer, (RSCCL)
In the second phase six more routes will be added along with another 150 such buses. In the third phase of the proposed plan, the existing buses being operated by Ranchi Municipal Corporation will ply on the ring road along the periphery of the City.
Keeping the environmental concerns in mind, the first 50 buses being introduced will be battery operated while the next 150 buses will be CNG operated. The buses will be of low floor configuration and will have a seating capacity of 14 in the first phase and 29 in the second phase.
RSCCL also plans to make both online and offline ticket booking facility available to the passengers.
The buses will also be equipped with Wi-Fi facility and some will also be air conditioned. Seats will also be reserved for women, senior citizens and the differently abled.
