Shillong, June 9: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday flagged off five electric buses under the PM eBus Sewa Scheme at Taraghar–State Guest House, marking a significant step towards sustainable urban mobility and improved public transportation in the state.
The newly introduced electric buses are part of the first phase of the Government of India’s PM eBus Sewa initiative and are aimed at providing cleaner, greener, and more efficient transport services to commuters in Shillong. The fully air-conditioned, zero-emission buses can travel approximately 180 to 200 kilometres on a single charge and are equipped with modern facilities including e-ticketing systems, wheelchair access, foldable ramps, overhead storage, and seating for up to 25 passengers.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the launch of the electric buses was part of a broader strategy to decongest Shillong and encourage greater use of public transport.
“Public transportation has long been one of Shillong’s biggest challenges. Slowly but steadily, we are arriving at a model that is more adaptable and tailor-made for the needs of our city,” he said.
The Chief Minister stated that the government is simultaneously investing in parking infrastructure and developing the new administrative city at Mawdiangdiang to ease pressure on Shillong’s urban core. He added that all these initiatives form part of a larger long-term vision to improve mobility and urban planning in the state capital.
Sangma also reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting electric mobility and announced that the policy granting exemptions on registration fees and road taxes for electric vehicles would be renewed. He encouraged citizens to adopt electric vehicles, describing them as suitable for Meghalaya’s hilly terrain and environmentally sustainable.
Highlighting the importance of reliable public transport, the Chief Minister said the government’s focus is not merely on operating bus services but on creating a dependable transportation system that encourages people to shift from private vehicles to public transport.
“The objective is to create a system that is safe, reliable, predictable and accessible for citizens,” he said.
Commissioner and Secretary of the Urban Affairs Department, Dr. Vijay Kumar D, said the launch marked a major milestone in Shillong’s transition towards a modern public transport network.
He informed that Shillong has been sanctioned a total of 50 electric buses under the PM eBus Sewa Scheme and that the city is adopting a Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model, under which operators are paid based on service standards rather than fare collection.
Dr. Vijay Kumar D said the electric buses are GPS-enabled, operate on fixed schedules, and their performance is monitored in real time. He added that 15 diesel buses introduced earlier under the same model have already recorded significant success, with daily ridership increasing from around 300 passengers to nearly 3,000.
According to him, four major routes have been identified for the electric buses, and within the next six months Shillong is expected to have a combined fleet of around 150 diesel and electric buses serving the city.
The expanded network is projected to serve nearly 60,000 commuters daily, significantly improving public transportation and reducing dependence on private vehicles.
Chief Secretary Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed, senior government officials, representatives of implementing agencies, and other stakeholders were also present during the flagging-off programme.
