West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Tuesday that the state plans to introduce 1,000 new environment-friendly buses equipped with modern amenities over the coming year. The announcement followed the flagging off of 50 new vehicles —consisting of 43 CNG and seven electric buses — at Paribahan Bhawan in Kolkata. Speaking to reporters at the event, Adhikari outlined a broader fleet transformation strategy, noting that a proposal for a further 400 buses is currently awaiting sanction as part of the initial expansion phase.
Adhikari stated that all 40 key state departments are actively working to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development vision. Beyond road transport, he highlighted plans to modernise Bengal's inland waterways to serve both daily commuters and the tourism sector, detailing upgrades to state-managed jetties and the introduction of luxury boat services for destinations such as the Sundarbans. He also confirmed that following a meeting with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw earlier this month, West Bengal has been incorporated into the Water Metro initiative and the regional aviation scheme UDAN.
Addressing road safety and environmental standards, the Chief Minister called for a month-long public awareness campaign regarding aging vehicles. He stressed that vehicles older than 15 years have outlived their utility, cannot legally renew their road permits, and must be removed from service to reduce pollution and support state revenue structures. On urban transit, Adhikari clarified that Kolkata's main metro network remains under the jurisdiction of the Union Railway Ministry, which will oversee maintenance and expansion while the state provides support, adding that the state intends to develop new metro corridors connecting Asansol-Durgapur and Jalpaiguri-Siliguri. Regarding Kolkata's historic trams, he stated that they must be preserved as heritage, though route operations should be focused on scenic or tourist areas to avoid worsening city traffic congestion.
Also read: Mahua Moitra gets HC relief in hate speech case
Follow us
