Bhavnagar: The long-awaited city bus service in Bhavnagar will be inaugurated on February 14, marking a major upgrade in urban transport for the city and nearby villages. The launch will take place in the virtual presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghvi attending the event. In the first phase, buses will begin operations on eight routes.

50 buses on eight routes in first phase

The administration is set to deploy 50 city buses across the eight routes from the inaugural day. Around 16 officials of the Bhavnagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) have been assigned responsibilities to ensure smooth implementation. Sanghvi will flag off the e-buses during the ceremony, while the Prime Minister will join virtually. Authorities plan to expand the network with additional routes once regular operations stabilise.

Under the central government’s Pradhan Mantri e-Bus initiative, Bhavnagar has been allotted 100 electric buses. Of these, 50 buses have already arrived, while delivery of the remaining fleet is expected soon. The upcoming service has generated significant public interest among residents of the city and surrounding rural areas. The network will provide transport connectivity to 13 wards across an approximate 28-km periphery of the city.

‘Smart’ and safe passenger facilities

The electric buses are equipped with modern amenities aimed at offering an affordable and comfortable alternative to auto-rickshaws:

• Air-conditioned: All buses are fully air-conditioned.

• Capacity and speed: Each bus seats 25 passengers and has a maximum speed of 75 kmph.

• Security: Every bus includes four CCTV cameras and automatic doors.

• Divyang-friendly: Special boarding arrangements and support handles have been provided for differently abled passengers.

Infrastructure readiness

Ahead of the launch, the municipal corporation has completed preparations on a war footing:

• Bus stops: Around 150 new pickup bus stands have been developed across the city.

• Modern depot: A state-of-the-art bus depot, built at a cost of ₹24 crore, has been completed and is described by civic authorities as the first such modern depot in Gujarat.

• Route clearance: Dilapidated structures near Gangajaliya bus station and obstructed stretches along routes have been removed to ensure smooth movement.

An additional ₹14 crore has been approved for operation, maintenance, and recruitment of drivers and conductors. The Mayor thanked the Prime Minister and the Gujarat government, stating that the service will provide major relief to middle- and lower-income residents of Bhavnagar.

Planned routes

The Pradhan Mantri e-Bus service will ultimately operate on 17 routes connecting key locations such as Gangajaliya Lake, Topthree Cinema, Ruwapari, Adhewada, Malanka, Akwada, Phulsar, O.A.J. College, Railway Station, Kamlej, Sihor, Devgana, Ghogha, Kalatalav, Nesda, Sodavadara, and Anandnagar, among others.

The details of the 17 routes and their principal stoppages are as follows:

1. Gangajaliya Station to Topthree Cinema: Gangajaliya Lake, Madhav Darshan, Atabhai Chowk, D-Mart to Topthree Cinema (7.15 km).

2. Inner Circular Route: Gangajaliya Lake → Crescent → Walket Gate → Tekri Chowk → Mahila College → Shivaji Circle → RTO → Kumbharwada → Chavdi Gate → Panwadi → back to Gangajaliya Lake (17.79 km).

3. Sidsar City to Ruwapari: Sidsar Gam Chowk, RTO Circle, Collector Office, Kalanala Circle, Gangajaliya Lake to Ruwapari (15.79 km).

4. Gangajaliya Lake to Adhewada: Haluria Chowk, Mahila College Circle, Shivaji Circle, Ring Road to Adhewada Village (8.14 km).

5. Gangajaliya Lake to Malanka: Jashonath Circle, Ghogha Circle, Bharat Nagar Chowkdi, Tarsamiya to Malanka Village (8.67 km).

6. Gangajaliya Lake to Akwada: Jashonath Circle, Reliance Mart, Railway Stadium, Shivaji Circle to Akwada Village (8.13 km).

7. Gangajaliya Lake to Phulsar: ST Stand, Vishwakarma Circle, RTO Circle, Ramdevnagar to Phulsar (8.70 km).

8. Gangajaliya Lake to O.A.J. College: Jashonath Circle, Shamaldas College, Sardar Patel Institute to O.A.J. College (10.87 km).

9. Bhandaria to Railway Station: Adhewada, Topthree Circle, Bharatnagar Chowkdi, Jashonath Circle to Railway Terminus (25.10 km).

10. Gangajaliya Lake to Kamlej: ST Stand, Vishwakarma Circle, Nari Chowkdi to Kamlej Village (14.57 km).

11. Sihor to Gangajaliya Lake: Rangoli Chowkdi, Nani Khodiyar, Nari Chowkdi, RTO Circle, ST Stand to Gangajaliya Lake (20.70 km).

12. Devgana to ST Stand (Gangajaliya): Valukad High School, Sidsar, ISKCON Club, ST Stand to Gangajaliya Lake (28.34 km).

13. Railway Station to Ghogha/Malekvadar: Ghogha Circle, Shivaji Circle, Sahajanand School Bypass, Ghogha to Malekvadar (19.93 km).

14. Kalatalav to ST Stand: Kamdhenu Gaushala, Bhavnagar Terminus, RTO Circle to Bhavnagar Para (12.80 km).

15. Gangajaliya Lake to Nesda: RTO Circle, Nari Chowkdi, Kardej Village to Nesda Village (18.92 km).

16. Gangajaliya Lake to Sodavadara: RTO Circle, Nari Chowkdi, Vartej–Sidsar Chowkdi to Sodavadara (14.77 km).

17. Anandnagar to Swami Vivekananda Homeopathic College: Mahila College, Ghogha Circle, Sanskar Mandal, Hillpark Chowkdi to the college (9.21 km).

DeshGujarat