Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma introduced a fleet of 200 Air Conditioned (AC) electric buses in Guwahati on January 1, addressing the city’s air pollution problems. These buses, equipped with CCTV cameras and GPS tracking devices, will travel along 13 routes as assigned by the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC), with the assistance of Guwahati Smart City Limited.

During the flag-off, Chief Minister Sarma reiterated the state government’s goal of transitioning to pollutant-free public transport by 2025. He promised to introduce an additional 200 electric buses shortly, to have 500 such buses in operation over the next two years, and progressively phase out diesel-powered buses in Guwahati. In addition, with the Electric car (EV) policy, the state government wants to give incentives to encourage diesel car owners to change to electric vehicles.

Notably, 15 electric buses were already in service in Guwahati, together with an electric car charging station in the Rupnagar region, before this project. Chief Minister Sarma additionally unveiled the National Common Mobility Card during the ceremony, making Assam the third state in India to do so.

This mobility card goes beyond ASTC services, allowing passengers to use metro trains, railroads, and even shopping facilities in Delhi. The card may be activated easily using the RUPAY app, increasing the ease and integration of public transport services for the people of Assam.

The deployment of 200 electric buses in Guwahati is a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future. The Assam government’s measures, together with the launch of the National Common Mobility Card, are set to revolutionize public transport and considerably contribute to reducing air pollution in the region.