Gujarat : 101 New GSRTC Buses Flagged Off Ahead of Raksha Bandhan

GANDHINAGAR : As families prepare to travel across Gujarat for Raksha Bandhan, the state government has strengthened public transport with the launch of 101 new GSRTC buses. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi flagged off the new fleet from Gandhinagar on Wednesday.

The new buses include 71 Super Express, 20 Midi and 10 Sleeper Coach buses. They will supplement special festival services and help passengers travel safely and comfortably during the festive rush.

The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) will operate around 6,500 additional bus trips from August 26 to 30. Special services will connect major cities including Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot, along with pilgrimage centres such as Ambaji, Pavagadh and Somnath.

The initiative also featured an early Raksha Bandhan celebration, with women conductors of GSRTC tying rakhis to Sanghavi. Appreciating the dedication of drivers, conductors and other operational staff who continue working during festivals, Sanghavi thanked them for ensuring uninterrupted transport services.

Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia said the new buses would further strengthen Gujarat’s public transport network.

“Launching 101 new ST buses is a significant step towards providing safe, convenient and comfortable transportation to citizens,” Modhwadia said.

Passengers will also have access to advance booking through online platforms and GSRTC depots. The corporation has urged travellers to make use of the special services to avoid inconvenience during the festival period.

Last year, GSRTC operated 6,402 additional trips during Raksha Bandhan and transported around 3.33 lakh passengers. With this year’s expanded arrangements, the corporation expects to meet higher demand.

The launch marks another push to expand Gujarat’s state-run bus network while ensuring that families can reach their destinations during one of the state’s major festivals.