Smart buses soon to operate in north Kashmir parts: CEO SSCL

Srinagar, Feb 25: Chief Executive Officer, Srinagar Smart City Limited, Owais Ahmad on Tuesday said the authorities are exploring possibility of introducing e-bus services in Bandipora, Kupwara, and parts of north Kashmir.

In an exclusive conversation with news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), he said the demand has been high, and revenue generation has been promising, thanks to passengers ensuring proper ticketing while traveling.

"We are motivated to expand the service to other districts as well. Recently, there has been a demand from north Kashmir, particularly Kupwara and Bandipora, and we are hopeful that in the coming times, smart buses will operate in these areas," he said.

He further said the distance to these districts is manageable for e-buses, and if charging infrastructure is required, it can be developed accordingly.

He also mentioned that under the PM e-bus Seva scheme, additional 100 buses are in the pipeline and are currently under tendering process. "We are hopeful of announcing their rollout date soon," he added.

On weather forecast, the CEO who is also the commissioner of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, he said that they have kept machinery ready and dewatering pumps and stations are also in place while department is fully prepared to tackle any situation.