Patna: The Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) has launched a dedicated electric and pink bus service for employees working at the Bihar Secretariat, with operations beginning on Monday across five major routes in the city. The service was inaugurated by Damodar Rawat, the state’s transport minister, as part of an effort to strengthen public transport and reduce dependence on private vehicles.
Officials said 25 buses have been deployed under the initiative, including 15 electric buses and 10 pink buses. The service is intended to provide regular and safer commuting options for Secretariat staff, many of whom currently rely on personal vehicles for daily travel.
Official Launch
The buses were flagged off in the presence of senior transport department officials, including Praveen Kumar, additional secretary in the transport department, and Atul Kumar Verma, administrator of BSRTC.
Rawat said the move was aimed at reducing traffic congestion in Patna while also cutting the use of petrol and diesel. He said thousands of Secretariat employees travel to work each day using private transport, adding pressure to city roads and increasing fuel consumption.
Routes Across Patna
According to BSRTC, the service covers five routes connecting major residential and transport hubs with the Secretariat.
One route starts from Patna Junction and passes through R-Block, Income Tax, Vidyut Bhawan, Patna High Court and Bihar Museum before reaching the Secretariat. Buses on this route leave at 8:30am, 8:40am and 8:45am.
A second route operates from Danapur railway station via Saguna Mor, RPS Mor, Gola Road, Jagdeo Path, Ashiana Nagar, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sheikhpura Mor and the zoo area, with departures scheduled between 8:15am and 8:30am.
Additional Services
Another route begins at Dhanuki Mor and travels through Kumhrar, Bhoothnath Road, Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, Rajendra Nagar Terminal, Kankarbagh Colony Mor, Karbigahiya Station and R-Block, ending at Vikas Bhawan.
The pink bus service operates from Kurji to the Secretariat via P&M Mall, Pataliputra Colony, A N College, Boring Road Crossing and Hartali Mor. Another route links Gandhi Maidan to Visvesvaraya Bhawan through Dak Bungalow Crossing, Income Tax, the High Court and Bihar Museum.
Policy Push
Raj Kumar, transport secretary, said the service was designed to improve daily travel for government employees while supporting the state’s efforts to encourage public transport use.
Officials said the buses will run every working day and may be expanded depending on commuter demand and operational review by BSRTC.
