CM Himanta Biswa Sarma flags off 100 CNG buses for plying in Guwahati city

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: On the occasion of New Year's Day, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday flagged off 100 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and inaugurated the city's first CNG station set up by Purba Bharti Gas near the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Betkuchi here.

Taking to Twitter, the Chief Minister informed that these buses will mark a milestone in Assam and that operating CNG buses is a step towards achieving the State Government's goal of Net Zero Carbon Emission by 2070.

Sarma tweeted: "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".

Addressing a public meeting on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the launch of the CNG-run buses and inauguration of the city's first CNG fuel station are decisive steps towards gradual but firm mitigation of the impacts of climate change and global warming. Mentioning excessive use of fossil fuels such as petrol and diesel as a prime reason for the trend of global warming, the Chief Minister said that carbon emissions from the use of such sources of energy are creating climatic imbalances in many parts of the globe, including Assam. It is important for all to work in unison towards mitigating the impact of climate change and work out a long-term and permanent solution, he said, adding that clean and green energy such as CNG held the answer to the problem.

The Chief Minister further stated that the gradual transition towards clean and green fuel in the public transport system of Guwahati would ensure that the State contributes towards the nation's commitments on capping carbon emissions.

Sarma said that by March, 2023, Purba Bharti would be operating at least 5 CNG stations in the city and in a couple of years, the total number of such fuel stations would go up to 50 in number. He added that gradually other public transport vehicles such as autorickshaws would also be brought under the ambit of CNG, as is the case in Delhi. He also said the possibility of allowing CNG-run private vehicles would also be explored in the days to come, once the infrastructure required to cater to the same is in place.

Sarma mentioned that Purba Bharti would also provide piped natural gas (PNG) to the city's households and the infrastructural work required to launch the service in Guwahati is currently under various stages of implementation.

Stating that the gas to sell CNG is being brought from outside the State, the Chief Minister credited the visionary mindset of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the latter's role in implementing the gas-grid project, without which the launch of CNG stations in Assam would not have been possible.

The Chief Minister appealed to the State's Transport Department and the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) administration to make use of the 100 new CNG buses as an opportunity to transform itself into a profit-making and efficient organization and shed the lethargic image it had developed over the years, owing to a number of avoidable and unavoidable reasons. He expressed the hope that the ASTC would bring in the work ethic of corporate houses in its day-to-day working.

It may be mentioned that the CNG bus project has been implemented by the ASTC under the Guwahati Smart City Project. The buses are equipped with air-conditioning, fire-detection, global positioning systems etc.

Cabinet Ministers Ashok Singhal, Bimal Bora and Parimal Shuklabadya, along with senior officials of the Government, were also present in the event.

Also Read:  Assam: CNG Buses To Ply In Guwahati To Control Pollution In City

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