Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s visionary leadership has brought a remarkable transformation of Gujarat ST buses. In the last 1.5 years, the Gujarat State Transport (ST) Corporation has invested over ₹166 crore to launch new buses and construct new bus stations and depots, significantly enhancing passenger facilities.
It is noteworthy that Gujarat ST Corporation once faced severe financial difficulties. However, in 2001, the then Chief Minister of Gujarat and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a campaign to revitalize the state’s public corporations, including the ST Corporation. Today, thanks to these efforts, Gujarat ST Corporation offers excellent travel facilities to lakhs of tourists with new buses, stations, and depot workshops.
ST Corporation is replacing old buses with modern ones and introducing electric buses, contributing to Gujarat’s green revolution. Additionally, the recently launched double-decker buses are enhancing the prestige of the state’s public transport sector, the Corporation, and the Gujarat Government.
Development Works Worth Over ₹166 Crore by the Corporation
The Gujarat government and ST Corporation are gradually working towards improving the state’s bus service. With the state government’s support, Gujarat State ST Nigam has invested over ₹166 crore in various development projects, including launching new buses, constructing new bus stations, and commissioning new depot workshops.
From December 2022 to May 2024, the Corporation has inaugurated 18 new bus stations/depots and introduced 2,800 new buses into public service. Additionally, the foundation stone has been laid for 20 new bus stations/depots, with construction progressing rapidly. The State Government and ST Corporation have also inaugurated modern bus stations in Bhuj and Bharuch, built on the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Moreover, the Corporation has commissioned five iconic AC double-decker electric buses between Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad, which have become popular among passengers. The Corporation plans to recruit over 10,000 drivers, conductors, mechanical staff, and administrative staff, with approvals already in place.
Launch of New Vehicles at Various Locations
In the past 1.5 years, Gujarat State ST Corporation has launched a total of 2,986 new vehicles. This includes 584 launched across the state, 417 in Gandhinagar, 151 in Jamnagar, 70 in Palanpur, 125 in Navsari, 474 in Vadodara, 111 in Surat, 15 in Shankeshwar, 47 in Ranip (Ahmedabad), 50 in Lunawada and Kvant, 2 in GIFT City (Gandhinagar), 51 in Songadh, 70 at the Legislative Assembly/Secretariat (Gandhinagar), 25 in Kalol, 100 in Nadabet, and 301 at GMDC (Ahmedabad).
Expansion of Bus Stations, Depots, and Workshops Across Various Locations
The Corporation will construct new bus stations at a cost exceeding ₹43 crore across 12 locations, funded by the State Government. The foundation stone for all these stations has been laid. These locations include Jotana, Shankeshwar, Saraswati, Ranpur, Virpur, Amod, Suigam, Lodhika, Kukarwada, Ladol, Umargam, and Jamnagar. Similarly, foundation stones have been laid for new depots and workshops to be built at a cost of over ₹34 crore across 8 locations in the state. These locations include Santrampur, Udhana, Harij, Palanpur, Jamjodhpur, Talod, Vijapur, and Bodeli.