25 new buses to hit the roads of Gangtok soon


GANGTOK, November 25: After the much-awaited plan of the Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT) department to procure new buses under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) plan, the SNT General Manager, LM Pradhan today said the first batch of 25 new buses is expected to hit the Capital roads before the end of this year.

The total estimated cost of buying the 25 buses have been Rs. 3 crores out of which Rs 30 lakhs will be borne by the State Government while the remaining 90 percent of the amount will be provided under the JNNURM scheme. It has also been learnt that Gangtok is one out of 63 cities in India which have been identified under JNNURM scheme.

“The issue pertaining to this has already been discussed in the Cabinet meeting and the money has been sanctioned,” Mr. Pradhan told media persons.

The 24-seater buses, it is informed are expected to ply in an around the periphery of the Capital and its adjoining areas connecting Setipul, Jali Power House, Marchak, Central School, Penlong, Luing and other areas.

The SNT GM informed there are already five city runners (buses) in the Capital operating from different areas and the new 25 buses added will eventually help the local passengers and office goers thus solving the problem of transportation during peak tourist seasons