Jaipur, June 20 (AHN) Rajasthan marked a major milestone in sustainable urban transportation on Saturday as Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma flagged off 29 state-of-the-art electric buses for Jaipur under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme and virtually inaugurated 18 electric buses for Bhilwara.

The launch marks the introduction of electric bus services in Rajasthan for the first time.

Flagging off the buses from Jaipur's Amar Jawan Jyoti, the Chief Minister said the initiative would strengthen clean, safe, affordable, and accessible public transport while contributing significantly to environmental conservation and urban mobility.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Sharma said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme in August 2023 to accelerate the adoption of electric mobility in urban transportation.

Under the scheme, the Central government is providing support for depot construction, charging infrastructure, and operational requirements.

He said eight Rajasthan cities -- Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Kota, Bikaner, Bhilwara, Alwar, and Ajmer -- have been selected under the scheme.

"The Central government has sanctioned 675 electric buses for these cities. An additional 475 e-buses have also been approved, taking Rajasthan's total allocation to 1,150 electric buses," the Chief Minister added.

He said that the first batch of 675 electric buses is expected to be operational by Diwali.

The Chief Minister added that the new buses are equipped with advanced technology and are designed to provide a safe, convenient, and affordable travel experience.

"These buses will particularly benefit women, students, senior citizens, and differently-abled passengers. CCTV cameras and other safety features have been installed to enhance passenger security, especially for women," he said.

The buses are equipped with modern amenities, including air-conditioning, CCTV surveillance systems, and emergency panic buttons.

Chief Minister Sharma announced that the state government is also working to introduce 555 electric buses for urban transport services and 50 double-decker electric buses for tourism purposes.

"Our (Bharatiya Janata Party) government is committed to providing modern, safe, and environment-friendly public transport facilities. This initiative will become an important pillar in realising the vision of a Developed Rajasthan by 2047," he said.

The Chief Minister added that the "double-engine government" has accelerated development in key sectors, including water, power, industry, infrastructure, and transportation during the last two-and-a-half years of beinf in power in the state.

Highlighting the state's environmental initiatives, Chief Minister Sharma said the state government is actively promoting the Hariyalo Rajasthan Campaign.

"Nearly 20 crore saplings have been planted so far under the campaign. I appeal to the people of Rajasthan to actively participate in tree plantation drives under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' and 'Hariyalo Rajasthan' initiatives," he added.

Before flagging off the buses, the Chief Minister performed a ceremonial pooja and inspected the vehicle's modern facilities.

He reviewed safety features such as CCTV cameras and panic buttons and interacted with the driver and conductor.

In a symbolic gesture, Chief Minister Sharma purchased a ticket and travelled on the electric bus from Amar Jawan Jyoti to the State Hangar, experiencing the service firsthand.

Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs Kalicharan Saraf and Gopal Sharma, Rajasthan Chief Secretary V. Srinivas, JCTSL Chairman Ravi Jain, senior officials, and members of the public attended the Jaipur event.

In Bhilwara, Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs Udaylal Bhadana and Ashok Kothari, along with local residents, joined the programme through video conferencing.

The launch of the electric buses marks a significant step toward cleaner mobility, reduced urban pollution, and the modernisation of Rajasthan's public transportation network.