Srinagar Nov 09: Srinagar’s e-bus service, launched as part of the Smart City initiative, has quickly become an essential mode of transport for many residents. While the launch of e-buses was seen as a progressive step for the city, the current fleet remains insufficient to cater to the growing commuters’ demand. With only 100 electric buses in operation, the shortage has led to overcrowding and longer waiting time for passengers, particularly during peak hours at various routes.
Although the surface transport ministry plans to add another 100 buses by January or February next year, the total fleet will still fall short of the city’s needs. To fully meet the demand, the service requires around 600 e-buses, SSCL official said.
“The corporation carried out an integrated study and found that the city requires around 600 e-buses to meet the demand,” said Syed Suhaib Naqshbandi, a senior official at Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL).
The shortage of buses has left many commuters scrambling for alternatives, such as auto-rickshaws or private mini-buses or private vehicles, which puts a burden on the pocket of the commuters. “The e-buses are a good idea, but they are not enough to cover the demand in the city,” said Yasir Malik, a resident of Raj Bagh.
“I have no choice but to take a private car or an auto-rickshaw, but it’s expensive,” said Mehvish Yousuf, a commuter. “The buses just aren’t enough to meet the demand.”
The shortage of buses is further exacerbated by the service’s limited routes. Currently, the e-bus service operates on only 16 routes, leaving many important areas of Srinagar without coverage. “The routes don’t cover all the important areas. Some places are completely left out,” said Imran Bashir, a local business owner in Rawalpora.
Another challenge is the limited charging infrastructure for e-buses. While charging stations are spread across the city, they lack the capacity to support the current fleet. This leads to buses spending long periods waiting to recharge, disrupting schedules and reducing the number of buses available on the road at any given time.
“Sometimes buses are stuck at charging stations for hours, which directly affects our schedules,” said one of the e-bus drivers. The less count of charging stations also adds to the difficulties of the commuters. It’s frustrating for us and even more so for the passengers who are waiting.”
“There are plans to gradually add more buses and expand the routes, but this will take time,” said Suhaib. “The infrastructure must be developed to support a larger fleet, and we are working towards that goal.”
Launched on November 1, 2023, by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the e-bus service has received a positive response, reaching a significant milestone of 5 lakh passengers within the first 60 days of its launch.
These state-of-the-art e-buses are equipped with advanced features such as ultra-high-definition dash cameras, passenger-friendly stop push buttons, and accessibility features for individuals with disabilities. Notably, they are zero-emission and eco-friendly.
“Each bus is fitted with five cameras, a lift system for wheelchair-bound passengers, and other emergency features. Additionally, the buses are equipped with a heating and cooling system, which will be suitable for Srinagar’s weather,” said an SSCL official.
Meanwhile, on November 6, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired a meeting with the Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD) to discuss various issues, including the functioning of Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) and Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL).
The Chief Secretary also took appraisal of the progress made in developing a model for securing 100 more e-buses under PM e-Bus Sewa to be fetched by central assistance.
