Residents of Jalandhar may soon witness a major improvement in public transport as 97 electric buses are proposed to be introduced in the city, along with development works worth around ₹25 crore. The proposals are expected to be discussed in the Finance and Contract (F&C) Committee meeting scheduled for March 16.
Confirming the development, Vineet Dhir said that the proposals related to the electric bus project and other civic development works will be taken up in the committee meeting on March 16. He stated that the initiative would be a positive step for the city and would strengthen public transport and urban infrastructure for residents.
Under the plan, 97 electric buses will operate on local routes, aiming to provide commuters with cleaner, more efficient and affordable transportation. For their maintenance and operations, bus workshops and depots are being developed at Company Bagh and Lamma Pind Chowk.
Preparatory work at Company Bagh has already begun, where cleaning and excavation activities are currently underway for the workshop area. Officials said the project is being implemented in partnership with the state government, with costs expected to be shared between the Centre and the state in a 40:60 ratio.
Authorities said the construction of the workshop facility is expected to take around six months. About ₹3 crore will be spent on civil and electrical works, while the estimated expenditure for establishing two electric bus depots is around ₹7.22 crore.
In addition to the electric bus project, the municipal corporation is also planning steps to modernize the city’s sanitation system. The civic body has proposed operating two road-sweeping machines for two years at a cost of approximately ₹9.54 crore to strengthen the city’s road-cleaning operations.
Officials said the plan aims to ensure regular mechanical road sweeping across the city, as the machines are currently used mainly during special events, VIP visits and major gatherings. Under the new proposal, the machines will be operated through an agency responsible for operation and maintenance, ensuring consistent road cleanliness in different parts of the city.