Mahesana: District headquarters Mahesana has got the city bus service functioning again from today. Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel dedicated the new city bus service, first phase of which will see operation of 8 CNG city buses through 8 routes of city. The service has been started under Mukhyamantri Shaheri Bus Parivahan Yojana through a private run Gurukrupa Travel Agency. One bus-stop will be available at every 500 meter distance on the route. After one month of operation, corrections will be done in the service as per the feedback received from the people. While the city bus stand has been created at Toranwali chowk of city, the other bus stands are located at Lucky Park society, Dwarkapuri flats on Radhanpur road and Manav Ashram chowkdi.

The bus service will be free for women and handicapped persons. Concession will be available to senior citizens and students as per the government norms.

A five years contract has been inked with the operator. The State government will pay minimum Rs. 25 per km to operator, of which 50 per cent (Rs. 12.50) will be paid to municipality as grant. Mahesana municipality has fixed per km rate as Rs. 33.51. If a bus completes 10 trips per day through 150 km, the municipality will have burden of Rs. 1 crore over this service. DeshGujarat