JAMMU, Nov 6: The implementation of a fleet of 100 electric buses in Jammu, under the Smart City Project, has faced delays due to sluggish progress in setting up essential infrastructure, including charging stations. Official sources reported the setback on Sunday, revealing that the slow establishment of these crucial facilities has caused the postponement of the electric bus launch.
Tata Motors, the company responsible for the project, has claimed that the charging infrastructure in both Srinagar and Jammu is now in a “ready to operate mode.” However, on-ground progress has not kept pace with these assertions, causing delays in the project’s timeline.
The initiative, which aims to introduce 100 eco-friendly buses each in Jammu and Srinagar, is a critical component of the Smart City Project. Its primary goals include reducing air and noise pollution, decreasing reliance on fossil fuels, and enhancing transportation facilities for the residents of these twin capital cities in the Union Territory.
These electric buses are equipped with an array of advanced features, including real-time passenger information systems, panic buttons, location tracking, CCTV cameras, a stop request system, online ticket booking, payment options through QR codes, and several security-related features.
As part of the contractual agreement between Tata Motors and Jammu Smart City Limited, the automaker was tasked with setting up charging stations, bus depots, and delivering 100 electric buses to both Jammu and Srinagar by the end of October. However, the sluggish pace of infrastructure development, including charging stations, has led to the project’s delay.
While a fleet of 75 e-buses commenced operations in Srinagar on November 1, there are currently only seven charging stations available, out of a total of 20 planned. Tata Motors has faced difficulties in establishing a bus depot in Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, within the stipulated time frame, which has further contributed to the delay in launching electric buses in the city.
Insufficient charging stations not only affect the project’s rollout but also pose challenges to the seamless operation of the recently launched e-buses in Srinagar.
Tata Motors remains committed to the development of charging infrastructure, stating that it is in “ready to operate mode” in both Srinagar and Jammu. According to the official sources, while a substantial number of electric buses have been delivered to both cities, the readiness of the infrastructure remains a hurdle to starting operations smoothly in Jammu.
The progress of the bus depot in Jammu stands at approximately 20%, and work on charging stations in Kathua, Udhampur, and Katra is still in progress, according to the sources.
Under the terms of the contract, Tata Motors is responsible for the supply, operation, and maintenance of 100 electric buses, with 25 of them measuring 12 meters in length and the remaining 75 measuring 9 meters. The buses are expected to operate for 200 kilometers per day per bus.
To complement the transportation services, Chalo Mobility, a transportation technology company, will provide consumer technology solutions, including electronic ticket issuing machines, an automated fare collection system, a mobile app for ticket and pass purchases, a smart card platform, and cloud-based hosting.
Tata Motors announced on Thursday that it would supply and operate 200 electric buses in Srinagar and Jammu for a period of 12 years under the Jammu and Srinagar Smart City projects. The company has already delivered the first batch of Ultra EV air-conditioned electric buses to Srinagar Smart City Ltd via TML Smart City Mobility Solutions (J&K) Pvt Ltd, a group company of Tata Motors.
While the electric bus project remains an important step toward sustainable and eco-friendly urban transportation, addressing the infrastructure challenges is crucial to realizing its full potential in the region. The authorities must work together with Tata Motors to expedite the completion of charging stations and other essential facilities to bring electric buses to the residents of Jammu and Srinagar without further delay.
