The Gujarat government has introduced 139 new buses to improve transportation for students in remote tribal regions. These buses, part of the ‘Bhagwan Birsa Munda Janjatiya Gaurav Parivahan Seva’ initiative, aim to benefit over 4,100 additional students. Costing Rs 33.84 crore, the buses are a joint effort of the Tribal Development Department and the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC).
The state’s plan includes deploying a total of 250 buses under this scheme, with a budget of Rs 72 crore. This initiative seeks to offer secure and reliable transport for children and youth residing in distant tribal areas, enabling them to access schools and colleges more conveniently. Equipped with GPS for real-time monitoring, these buses will operate during school hours and serve the general public in tribal areas outside of school timings.
The program, building on its initial phase launched last year, focuses on enhancing educational access for tribal students. The buses from the first phase, flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have been serving around 5,700 students in Gujarat’s tribal districts. This expanded service is designed to ensure timely and safe transportation for students, fostering educational opportunities in tribal regions.
