Latest news with #BiharStateRoadTransportCorporation
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
State to roll out 299 interstate buses for festivals
Patna: To ease festival travel for migrants and improve interstate connectivity, CM Nitish Kumar on Thursday announced that the Bihar govt will operate 299 buses connecting the state to major destinations in neighbouring states. The initiative is expected to address the long-standing difficulties faced by migrant workers and residents returning home during major festivals such as Chhath, Holi, Diwali and Durga Puja. Taking to X, the CM wrote, "People from Bihar return home in large numbers from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and West Bengal during various festivals, especially Chhath, Holi, Diwali and Durga Puja. They face difficulties travelling to Bihar during these times. To ease their journey and provide convenience, our govt is making continuous efforts. As part of this, the state government will operate 299 AC and non-AC buses on inter-state routes connected to Bihar. " This plan was formally approved during the cabinet meeting held on June 24. The CM added that the govt will request the Centre to run additional special trains during the festive period to further support travel demands. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Worst Home Items That People Own, Ranked CleverClassic Undo Of the total 299 buses, 75 air-conditioned deluxe and 74 non-AC deluxe buses will be procured by the state govt at a cost of Rs 105 crore. An additional 150 AC buses will be operated under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. According to an official release from the transport department, the buses will primarily operate on routes to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and West Bengal. "This will provide safer, more accessible, and more reliable public transport for citizens, especially migrant workers," the statement said. Transport secretary Sandeep Kumar R Pudkalkatti said the enhanced bus services would strengthen interstate public transport through the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC). "The operation of modern and comfortable buses will make travel more convenient, safe, and affordable. It will also generate local employment opportunities," he said. He added that the daily passenger capacity of the newly introduced fleet — comprising 75 AC and 74 non-AC deluxe buses — will be around 6,000. Additionally, 150 more AC buses are expected to be operational during peak seasons such as Durga Puja, Chhath and Holi. At present, BSRTC operates 17 buses to Ranchi and two to Jamshedpur. The new additions are expected to vastly expand the reach and efficiency of Bihar's interstate public transport system.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Special camps in women's colleges for pink bus passes
Patna: The Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) will soon organise special camps in all major women's colleges across Patna to issue monthly bus passes. Institutions like Patna Women's College and JD Women's College have already been identified for the camps. The initiative aims to encourage more women commuters, especially students and working professionals, to use the dedicated bus service. "This step will ensure that more women avail of safe and reliable transport within the city," said a BSRTC official. Monthly passes for the pink bus service can be availed both online and offline. To apply online, users will have to download the 'Chalo' mobile app. Working women are required to upload an Aadhaar card and a photo, while students must additionally submit a valid college ID. "Online passes will be issued within a day," the official added. Offline passes, on the other hand, are issued on the spot but come with an extra Rs 20 charge. The pass costs Rs 550 for working women and Rs 450 for students. The announcement came after BSRTC conducted a one-day pass registration camp near Patna Zoo on Wednesday. Currently, eight pink buses operate across Patna under BSRTC.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Cabinet OKs key projects, social schemes
Patna: The state cabinet on Tuesday approved a series of major development and welfare initiatives, including large-scale infrastructure projects, enhanced support for marginalised groups and implementation of policy announcements made by CM Nitish Kumar following consultations with women's self-help groups (SHGs) and panchayati raj institution (PRI) representatives. Among the key approvals was the intra-state Kosi-Mechi river linking project with a projected cost of Rs 6,282 crore. Once completed, the project will offer flood protection and irrigation to 2.14 lakh hectares across Araria (69,642 ha), Purnia (69,970 ha), Kishanganj (39,548 ha) and Katihar (35,653 ha). The centrally sponsored project includes a central share of Rs 3,652 crore. The cabinet also cleared the introduction of inter-state AC and non-AC deluxe bus services for passengers, including migrant workers, travelling to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and West Bengal. Following consultations with respective state governments, 74 non-AC buses (Rs 50 crore) and 75 AC deluxe coaches (Rs 55 crore) will be procured by Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC). An additional Rs 30 crore will be allocated for 150 deluxe buses to operate under a public-private partnership during festive periods such as Durga Puja, Chhath and Holi. You Can Also Check: Patna AQI | Weather in Patna | Bank Holidays in Patna | Public Holidays in Patna To address urban infrastructure needs, Rs 331 crore has been sanctioned for a stormwater drainage system on Saidpur Nala in Patna. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now The cabinet also approved the extension of J P Ganga Path via Digha, Sherpur and Bihta up to Koilwar (35km) using the Hybrid Annuity Model. In the education sector, Rs 281 crore was approved for building boys' and girls' hostels at engineering colleges in Arwal, Rohtas and Jehanabad, as well as at the Muzaffarpur Institute of Technology (MIT) and polytechnics in Madhubani (West Champaran) and Saharsa. New digital planetariums and space/astronomy education centres will be set up in East Champaran, Jamui, and Purnia. A sum of Rs 32 crore was sanctioned for a drinking water supply system in Jehanabad. The cabinet also gave its formal approval to the policy announcements made by CM Nitish Kumar following his recent dialogues with Jeevika Didis and elected PRI representatives. This includes increasing the project sanctioning cap for mukhiya from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh and enhancing the honorarium and ex gratia payment for PRI and Gram Kutchery representatives. If an elected member dies during their term, their family will receive Rs 5 lakh. A significant welfare move was the increase in pensions for elderly, widows and persons with disabilities – from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100 per month. The cabinet also approved an interest subsidy scheme for loans taken by Jeevika Didis from banks. While banks charge 10.40% to 12.40% interest, the women will now pay only 7%, with the state govt covering the rest. Further, the cabinet approved the construction of 8,053 Kanya Vivah Mandaps, one in each panchayat, at a cost of Rs 50 lakh per mandap. These community halls for weddings and social functions will be built by the panchayats themselves, with the full project costing Rs 4,026 crore over five years. Highlighting the need for targeted economic support, chief secretary Amrit Lal Meena said the 2022-23 caste-based headcount and economic survey revealed 94 lakh families in the state with a monthly income of just Rs 6,000. The cabinet has now set up a five-member committee, headed by the chief secretary, to expedite the disbursement of Rs 2 lakh to each of these poorest households to enable microeconomic activities and entrepreneurship.
