Action on private buses: Aim to electrify all ST buses in the state by 2035

To promote environment-friendly public transport, the government aims to electrify the entire ST fleet by 2035. New buses to be purchased including existing buses will be included in this scheme. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said that all the old buses will also be converted to electric vehicles in a phased manner. The issue was raised by MLA Shrikant Bhartiya in the Legislative Council. The ST Mahamandal has signed an agreement to buy 5,150 electric buses. Of these, more than 900 buses have entered the Mahamandal. As per the agreement, 172 charging stations are planned to be set up in the state. Out of these, 39 charging stations have been commissioned and 45 more will be commissioned in next three months. The ST Mahamandal is coordinating with the concerned company to complete the remaining stations soon. 30 new buses will be made available to Dahanu and Jawahar depots in Palghar district in a month. Also, more buses will be made available in the future as per the requirement. The Transport Minister said that 200 more mini buses will be available for the state in the next two months as big buses cannot reach the hilly and inaccessible areas. Niranjan Dawkare asked a starred question in this regard. Action on private buses Transport Minister confessed that illegal passenger transport was going on in the 200 metre premises of the ST depot. A massive crackdown is on against such private buses. So far, more than 200 private buses have been penalized, Sarnaik said. A provision of Rs 200 crore has been made for modernisation of bus depots, accommodation for drivers and conductors and necessary facilities.