Kataria meets Khattar, raises issue of 328 e-bus sanction
Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria today met Union Ministers Manohar Lal Khattar, Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister for Tourism, and Bhupender Yadav, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in New Delhi to discuss critical development issues concerning Chandigarh and Punjab, particularly in the areas of public transport, tourism infrastructure and environmental sustainability.
In his meeting with Khattar, the Governor raised the pending matter regarding the sanctioning of 328 electric buses for Chandigarh under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme. He urged early approval of these buses on the GCC model to replace the aging fleet of the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) and Chandigarh City Bus Services Society (CCBSS), most of which will complete their operational life between 2025 and 2027, in line with the 15-year cap on diesel vehicles as notified by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
The Governor also requested the expedited issuance of the Letter of Award for the 100 electric buses already sanctioned in October 2023, emphasising the need for their delivery before November 2025 to ensure continuity in public transport services. He assured that necessary vehicle scrapping certificates would be provided through registered vehicle scrapping facilities (RVSF) in support of the ministry’s green mobility efforts.
In a separate meeting with Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Governor highlighted the need to enhance rail connectivity between Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded, and Punjab, Chandigarh and Tarn Taran to meet the increasing passenger demand and facilitate pilgrim travel. He also called for improved rail links between Udaipur and Chandigarh, which would significantly benefit passengers travelling between Rajasthan and the Union Territory.
Kataria also called on Shekhawat to discuss tourism development projects in Chandigarh. The Governor stressed the need for strategic investments to strengthen city’s tourism infrastructure in alignment with its heritage, environmental values and rising tourist footfall. He underlined the importance of bolstering tourism and transport links to religious, cultural and administrative hubs to support regional growth and ease of travel.
As part of his engagements in the Capital, the Governor also made a courtesy call to Yadav. Discussions focused on environmental priorities and sustainable development issues relevant to Chandigarh and Punjab in light of the growing emphasis on climate-conscious governance.
Also takes up enhanced airport connectivity
Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria today met Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu in New Delhi. During the meeting, he discussed the need to strengthen both domestic and international air connectivity from Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Mohali, in view of the growing demand from residents of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh.
Kataria emphasised that enhanced connectivity — particularly direct international flights — would significantly boost tourism, facilitate business travel and support the economic aspirations of the region.
The Union Minister assured Kataria that the ministry would actively explore all possibilities.
Chandigarh