Kolkata: The state has unveiled a roadmap to transform Kolkata’s public transport system by phasing out diesel buses and replacing them with electric and CNG vehicles, marking a shift towards cleaner and sustainable urban mobility. Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday made this announcement after he flagged off 50 new buses, seven of them electric ones and 43 CNG.At this event at Paribahan Bhavan II in Kasba, he also announced the rollback of the previous govt’s decision to reinduct buses older than 15 years into service. “The administration cannot allow ageing, high-emission vehicles to continue operating on city roads,” said Adhikari, emphasising the need to improve air quality. The new buses and the rollback announcement brought relief to commuters and environmentalists alike. Green activists and legal experts had earlier expressed concerns over the extension of permits for 15-year-old buses, pointing out operators of other ageing commercial vehicles might seek similar exemptions.Not only phasing out old, diesel buses but also not procuring them at all is reportedly on the state’s blueprint to reduce vehicular pollution while strengthening public transport. “A city is defined by its public transport. It must be clean, convenient, punctual and regular. Efficient mobility also strengthens the ecosystem of industry, trade and commerce,” Adhikari said. The announcement aimed at restoring the state’s focus on fleet modernisation after concerns were raised over the environmental implications of allowing older diesel buses to be brought back on roads.State chief secretary Manoj Agarwal said the finance department had cleared the procurement process for 450 new buses, expected to enter services by year-end. “The finance department has given the go-ahead for the tender of 450 buses. We aim to add 1,000 buses next year,” Agarwal said.The plan to induct 1,450 buses over the next two years is expected to take care of the city’s shrinking public transport fleet, while reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Transport minister Arjun Singh claimed the previous govt’s failure to maintain an adequate bus fleet forced many to shift to private vehicles. “Buses disappeared from roads in the previous regime. We have promised to bring buses back with world-class standards of punctuality, regularity and comfort so that people choose buses over private vehicles,” Singh said.Most environmental experts welcomed Tuesday’s decision, saying it reaffirmed the state’s commitment to cleaner mobility and aligned public transport policy with long-term air quality goals. The issue of ageing commercial vehicles has remained contentious since 2008, when the Calcutta High Court prohibited commercial vehicles older than 15 years from operating in the Kolkata Metropolitan Area, citing concerns over pollution and public health.
