Guwahati: On the first day of the new year, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched 100 CNG buses and opened Guwahati’s first CNG station, set up by Purba Bharti Gas near ISBT.
The CM posted on Twitter that the 100 new CNG-powered buses would be a first for Assam and would support the government’s goal of reaching Net Zero Carbon Emission by 2070.
He wrote, “A green era has begun in Guwahati! Happy to flag off 100 CNG buses & Guwahati’s first CNG station set up by Purba Bharti Gas near ISBT, Guwahati. With introduction of clean & green energy in public transport, we’re moving closer to our goal of Net Zero Carbon Emission by 2070.”
Speaking at the launch event, CM Sarma said, “Citizens of Guwahati will soon get another 200 electric-operated buses. This will be another opportunity for Assam State Transport Corporation to turn profitable. ASTC will get a total of 300 buses under them for free.”
The Assam CM urged the officials and employees of the transport department to work efficiently. He went on, “This first CNG station has been made operational by Purba Bharti Gas with help from Indian Oil. We have taken our first steps towards converting all vehicles to CNG.”
“Purba Bharti Gas will provide gas connection to every household. The work is slated to begin in the coming three years,” added CM Sarma.
The Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) was expected to begin using compressed natural gas (CNG) buses in Guwahati starting in 2023, according to rumors that surfaced earlier in December 2022.
As part of the Guwahati Smart City Project, the ASTC has launched the CNG bus project. A tender for the operation of 100 CNG buses in Guwahati was published following a decision by the state government.
Tata Motors provided 68 CNG buses to the state later after the bidding procedure, with the remaining 32 vehicles coming soon after. Two filling stations have been built up to supply fuel to the new buses which will operate in phases.
The two fueling stations are located at Ulubari and Betkuchi, both close to the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT). To lessen pollution and save money on purchasing significantly more expensive gasoline, the buses have been put into service.