The urban transport landscape of Jammu and Srinagar is on the edge of a transformative shift as both Smart Cities prepare to induct 200 new electric buses under the PM eBus Sewa Scheme. With 100 buses allotted to each city, this expansion is not merely an addition of vehicles-it represents a structural resetting of how people move, how public transport is managed, and how cities breathe. For two cities long dominated by unregulated, overcrowded and pollution-heavy matador culture, the fleet of modern electric buses is poised to fundamentally change mobility norms.
For decades, public transport in both Jammu and Srinagar was served efficiently by the Government-run SRTC. City buses connected the interiors, intercity routes were stable, and public mobility was predictable. However, with SRTC’s steady decline, private operators took over nearly all routes, ushering in a regime marked by low frequency on less profitable routes, excessive overcrowding, and soaring fares. The shift from buses to smaller matadors looked practical at first, but soon deteriorated into a chaotic system-vehicles racing for passengers, honking incessantly, emitting harmful fumes, and compromising safety. The degradation of urban quality of life in terms of noise, pollution, dust, and reckless driving became routine.
It is this backdrop that makes the ongoing electric bus transition not only desirable but necessary. The first fleet under the FAME-II scheme has already impressed daily commuters. Whether it is an AC ride from RS Pura to Jammu in peak summer or the smooth, quiet journey in Srinagar’s congested stretches, people have experienced a stark improvement. This acceptance has built the confidence for the second, larger phase of 200 additional buses. The choice of bus sizes-12-metre, 9-metre and 7-metre variants-reflects route-specific planning. Larger buses will serve high-demand corridors like Samba, Akhnoor or Pantha Chowk-Lal Chowk, while compact seven-metre buses will negotiate Jammu’s old city lanes or Srinagar’s heritage clusters. This tailoring to geographical and road conditions ensures better efficiency and broader coverage, including areas where matadors currently dominate. The proposed dedicated bus lanes, queue jumpers, redesigned shelters with real-time tracking, CCTV, panic buttons and accessibility features reveal how seriously the Smart City administrations are treating mobility reform. These upgrades-long overdue-will not only enhance commuter confidence but also signal a return of Government-led, organised mass transportation. The integration of Intelligent Transit Management Systems and Automatic Fare Collection Systems is another leap forward, standardising fares, easing payments, and eliminating the arbitrariness of private operators.
Additionally, electric buses eliminate tailpipe emissions, reducing respiratory hazards in the already pollution-stressed basins of Jammu and Srinagar. Noise pollution drops dramatically, which is especially meaningful in sensitive zones near hospitals, schools, markets and shrines. Electricity is cheaper than diesel, and the buses’ simpler mechanical systems promise lower maintenance costs. Over time, this will help stabilise fares and reduce the burden on public finances. AC rides, smoother acceleration and modern interiors create a public transport experience that competes with private cars. This is crucial in convincing people to leave their vehicles at home.
However, challenges remain significant. The initial capital cost of electric buses is much higher than diesel vehicles. Building the required charging infrastructure-depots, opportunity charging points, transformers-demands time and investment. Charging duration is a bottleneck that can disrupt schedules, potentially requiring a larger standby fleet. Equally important is the human resource gap. Mechanics trained for diesel engines must now learn battery systems, electric drivetrains and digital diagnostics. New job categories-IT supervisors, charger technicians, and software managers-must be created and trained.
To unlock the full potential of electric mobility, the Government must explore revenue-generating and public-supportive models: offering buses for school transport, picnics, charter services, and special events like Jhiri Mela, Machail Yatra or Hazratbal congregations. This would not only improve crowd management but also enhance revenue while reducing pollution during peak gatherings. The outlook is to have a modern, reliable, clean and comfortable public transport system which will gradually wean people away from private cars, reducing congestion and shrinking the carbon footprint. This is not just a transport upgrade-it is a social and environmental investment.
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