J&K government, Tata Motors tie-up for e-bus fleet

The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Government has reached a significant agreement with Tata Motors for the procurement of 200 e-buses, paving the way for cleaner and greener public transportation in the Union Territory. As per the deal, the government will pay Rs 55.62 per/km for 12-m long buses and Rs 47 per/km for 9-m long buses to the manufacturer.Under the ambitious Smart Urban e-Mobility Project, these eco-friendly e-buses, fully air-conditioned, will be introduced for the first time in J&K's public transport system. The initiative is part of the government's efforts to promote sustainable transportation and reduce carbon emissions.The agreement spans over 12 years, and a total of 100 buses will operate in both Jammu and Kashmir regions, benefiting commuters across the entire UT. The 100 e-buses earmarked for Jammu are scheduled to hit the roads by 15th August.Manufactured in Dharwad, Karnataka, these state-of-the-art e-buses are expected to provide efficient services, covering an impressive 200 km per day. The project follows the 'Gross Cost Contract Model,' previously implemented successfully in several metropolitan cities across the country.The CEO of Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL), Rahul Yadav, expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming fleet, stating, No one-time payment will be made for the e-buses; instead, payment will be made based on the distance travelled by each bus, ensuring a fair and transparent system for the manufacturer/operator.A bus depot, currently in its final stages of completion at Bhagwati Nagar Jammu, will serve as the operational hub for these environmentally friendly vehicles. The depot will cater to the needs of the 25 e-buses with a length of 12 meters and 75 buses with a length of 9 meters.