300 more buses across state from Dec 1

Kolkata: In another major step, the transport department has decided to launch 300 buses across the state including some on the Mirik to Darjeeling route in phases from December 1.

Suvendu Adhikari, the state Transport minister, said: "Unlike during the period of the Left Front government, the present government did not need to take loans to add buses to its existing fleet. All was done from the budget under the plan head." West Bengal Transport Corporation, South Bengal State Transport Corporation and North Bengal State Transport Corporation will be operating the buses.

It may be mentioned that during the administrative review meetings in districts, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had directed to ply buses in different routes. Around 156 buses will be operated in such routes. It had been a demand of the locals to operate buses in these routes and the state Transport department has also taken necessary steps to meet the demand as early as possible.

A section of the 300 buses will also be operating to connect different tourist places. For example there will be buses connecting Behrampore, Motijheel and Hazarduari in Murshidabad. At the same time there will also be additional buses plying from Asansol to Durgapur. Another major step that is being taken by the state Transport department is to operate buses from Mirik to Darjeeling. Peace has been restored in the Hills and the state government has also started taking measures to ensure development of the region. Operation of buses between Mirik and Darjeeling will help in improving the connectivity. There are also plans to initiate night bus services from Howrah station to Kolkata Airport via Sealdah station. However, the project is still in pipeline.