JAMMU : Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD), Dheeraj Gupta, on Saturday chaired a review meeting on electric buses project for twin capital cities of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and directed the officials to expedite the process for its completion in stipulated time frame.

Divisional Commissioner, Ramesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL), Rahul Yadav, General Manager (Finance), JSCL & nodal officer for e-buses project J&K, Ashish Anand and representatives of TATA motors led by K Vijay Menon, Chief Operations Officers, K . Sanjeeva Rao- General Manager Govt & Public Affairs & Business Development were present in the meeting while Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL), Athar Aamir and other officials participated virtually.

Rahul Yadav gave a detailed presentation on progress on the project, achieved so far.

He informed that the land for depots have been identified in both the cities and handed over to TATA motors limited. The meeting was also apprised of tentative routes for plying electric buses.

Speaking on the occasion, Principal Secretary urged upon TATA Motors to complete the construction of depots and ensure the delivery of electric buses within committed time frame.

“Buses should be delivered by April and operationalised at the earliest,” Dheeraj Gupta directed the TATA motors.

He asked CEOs of Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) and Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) to finalise routes in consultation with Deputy Commissioners as well as transport department of the Union Territory.

Dheeraj Gupta added that all the planning and statutory work should be completed by February 15th. He added that this is a priority project and Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, is personally monitoring the work as Jammu and Kashmir is bracing up for G20 meeting this year.

He further directed the CEOs of JSCL and SSCL to monitor the work and submit weekly progress report. He also asked the Divisional Commissioners of both regions to hold meeting for clearing bottlenecks.

Pertinently, the Jammu and Kashmir government is procuring a fleet of 200 electric buses, 100 each for capital cities of the Union Territory, Jammu and Srinagar.