Patna: In a major push towards clean and sustainable public transport, the Bihar Transport Department has announced that diesel and CNG buses will be completely phased out from the streets of Patna by March 2027. They will be replaced by a fleet of air-conditioned electric buses.
As part of the transition, the department plans to introduce 200 new electric buses on 20 major routes across the city, including Bailey Road, Danapur, Patna City, Phulwari-AIIMS, Bihta, Maner and Digha.
Rollout to Begin Next Month
The first phase of the project will begin next month, with 25 CNG buses being replaced by electric buses. At present, 22 electric buses are already operating in Patna.
The CNG buses being withdrawn from the capital will be redeployed to other cities, including Ara, Buxar, Gaya, Jehanabad, Nalanda and Bihar Sharif, where they will continue to provide public transport services.
To support the expanding electric fleet, the Transport Department is developing charging infrastructure at multiple locations across the city.
Advanced Safety Features
The new electric buses will be equipped with several modern safety and passenger convenience features, with special emphasis on women’s safety.
Each bus will have:
- A panic button to enable passengers to seek immediate assistance during emergencies.
- CCTV surveillance cameras for continuous monitoring inside the bus.
- A GPS-based live tracking system to monitor vehicle movement in real time.
According to the Transport Department, all buses will be monitored round-the-clock from the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation’s central control room, allowing officials to track operations and respond quickly to emergencies.
The initiative is expected to reduce air pollution, improve the quality of public transport, and provide commuters with a safer, cleaner and more comfortable travel experience in the state capital.
