Bengal Transport Dept ties up with Google to help commuters

Commuters can now plan their trip within Kolkata on Google maps on phone, thanks to State Transport Department. With all data of routes under State Transport utilities available on Google, one can touch and select the public transport bus or tram services one wants to avail to reach their destination.

The map suggests the best route to reach one’s destination, giving citizens a respite from rogue taxi or auto drivers who swindle passengers by taking winding routes to take them to their destinations. Now, one needs to put the origin and destination on the map. Google map will give options to reach the destination – multiple routes under different modes of transport on real-time basis. Google will also give the approximate time to be taken by each mode of transport.

For a tourist, the system will come very handy to reach any place of interest from any point of the city. For an office-goer, it will be only a matter of few seconds to know the route he must take to reach his or her office. Eventually , one can also locate the bus he needs to catch on the map.

 

পরিবহণ ব্যবস্থাকে উন্নিত করতে গুগলের সাথে গাঁটছড়া বাঁধল রাজ্য

কলকাতার বাসিন্দাদের জন্য সুখবর। এখন থেকে সরকারি বাসের গতিবিধি চলে এলো হাতের মুঠোয়। বাড়িতে বসেই গুগল ম্যাপের সাহায্যে জানতে পারবেন যে কোনও সরকারি বাসের হদিস।
রাজ্য পরিবহণ দপ্তর গুগলের সাথে গাঁটছড়া বাঁধায় এবার আপনি ম্যাপের সাহায্যে আপনার ফোনেই জানতে পেরে যাবেন কোন সরকারি বাস কোথায় রয়েছে। এছাড়াও আপনার গন্তব্যের জন্য কোন বাসে ওঠা উচিত সেটাও বাতলে দেবে গুগল ম্যাপ। আপনার গন্তব্যে সব থেকে কম সময়ে কোন রুটে পৌঁছতে পারবেন সেটাও দেখে নিতে পারবেন।
এই  শহরে আগত পর্যটকদের খুব সুবিধা হবে। আর অসুবিধায় পড়তে হবে না তাদের। নিত্যযাত্রীদের দৈনিক যাতায়াতও হবে অনেক সহজ।

Transport dept introduces Intelligent Transport System

The state transport minister inaugurated the vehicle tracking system and automated fare collection system on Friday. The introduction of the vehicle tracking system will help in monitoring movement of a bus from the command and control centre set up in the office building of CSTC.

The introduction of automated fare collection system at all the eleven depots will help in real time monitoring of revenue collection. From now onwards, fare collection will be done using Electronic Ticketing Machine (ETM). Conductors in buses will be carrying an ETM connected through GPRS with the control room.

Thus an operator sitting in the control room will get real time statics on the exact count of passengers travelling in a bus at a time as well as number of tickets issued in every trip. The same system will be implemented in buses run by other transport corporations as well for “strong vigilance on the fare collection process.

Smart cards will also be introduced for commuters soon. A passenger carrying a smart card just needs to press his or her card on the ETM with the conductor to get a ticket. Passengers who will not be having a smart card will get an ETM generated ticket after paying the fare in cash.

After introducing online tracking system for buses run by Calcutta State Transport Corporation (CSTC), the state transport department is all set to introduce biometric attendance recording system in all its offices and depots with an objective to provide better service to people.

 

 

ইন্টেলিজেন্ট ট্রান্সপোর্ট সিস্টেম চালু করছে রাজ্য পরিবহণ দপ্তর

রাজ্য পরিবহণে এবার আধুনিকতার ছোঁয়া। চালু হচ্ছে ইন্টেলিজেন্স ট্রান্সপোর্ট সিস্টেম। সিএসটিসি‌ ভবনে পরিবহণমন্ত্রী শুভেন্দু অধিকারী শুক্রবার ইন্টেলিজেন্ট ট্রান্সপোর্ট সিস্টেম অ্যান্ড কন্ট্রোল সেন্টারের উদ্বোধন করলেন।

উদ্বোধন অনুষ্ঠানে ছিলেন পরিবহণ সচিব আলাপন বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়, ডব্লুবিটিসি–‌র চেয়ারম্যান রচপাল সিং, সংস্থার এমডি নারায়ণস্বরূপ নিগম, যুগ্ম অধিকর্তা, বিশেষ সচিব নীলাঞ্জন শাণ্ডিল্য প্রমুখ।

উদ্বোধনের পর মন্ত্রী বলেন, এই পদ্ধতির সাহায্যে সিএসটিসি–র কোথায়, কোন বাস রয়েছে, কত টিকিট কাটা হয়েছে ইত্যাদি অনায়াসে জানা যাবে। ডিপোতে কোন বাস কখন আসবে দ্রুত জানা যাবে তাও।

শীঘ্রই সরকারি বাসগুলির জন্য স্মার্ট কার্ড চালু করবে। যার ফলে মেট্রোর মত নগদে নয়, বাসে উঠে কার্ড দিয়েই টিকিট কাটতে পারবেন নাগরিকরা।

তিনি আরও জানান, ওলা–‌উবেরের মতো অ্যাপস চালু হচ্ছে। মিলেনিয়াম পার্কে টিকিট পাঞ্চিং মেশিন বসছে। স্মার্ট পরিবহণ পরিষেবা চালু করতেই এইসব অভিনব উদ্যোগ নেওয়া হচ্ছে।

 

WB CM launches new fleet of buses for Hooghly district

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a fleet of 19 buses along 8 routes in Hooghly district today. The move is aimed at making transport even more hassle-free for common people.

She also inaugurated a host of other projects and laid the foundation stones for many more at a public function in Dankuni.

The Chief Minister inaugurated several road projects and laid the foundation stones for new madrassah buildings, hostels for minority students, tourist lodges at Furfura Sharif, Karma Tirtha, water supply projects and road projects.

WB CM distributed cycles to students under Sabuj Sathi scheme and land pattas to beneficiaries.

 

Highlights of her speech:

  • We have started a new scheme for the school students. We are giving bicycles to 40 lakh students.
  • By January, 25 lakh students will get cycles under Sabuj Sathi. By next year 40 lakh students will get cycles.
  • We have been able to provide benefits and services to 71% people in Hooghly district.
  • 19 new buses in 8 routes have been flagged off today for Hooghly district.
  • Schemes worth Rs 75 crore have been taken up for the area around Furfura Sharif.
  • At Arambagh I had laid foundation stones for projects worth Rs 400 crore.
  • From ITIs, Kisan Bazaars to Multi Super Speciality hospitals, we are working for people.
  • We have made beds and medicines free at government hospitals. We have started fair price medicine shops offering up to 70% discount.
  • Doctors have been asked to write generic names of medicines.
  • We have started a dialysis unit in Hooghly district. Procedures like these are available at discounted prices.
  • We have started fair price diagnostic centres that offer procedures like MRI and CT Scan at nominal prices. We have started CCUs also.
  • We are giving 30% subsidy and accidental insurance to self-help groups.
  • We have started Samajik Suraksha Scheme (Social Security Scheme) despite financial hardships.
  • We are paying for the sins of the CPM. We have increased revenues but Centre is taking away all our money.
  • I have only one goal in life. I will turnaround Bengal one day.
  • The students and youth of Bengal are our future. They will make us proud in the global stage.
  • You should be proud to say you belong to Bengal.
  • We have introduced reservation for OBCs and minorities without touching general category. We created infrastructure worth Rs 1000 Cr.
  • We are setting up 200 ITIs and polytechnic colleges, 176 Kisan Bazaars.
  • Dankuni-Furfura Sharif railway project was conceived by me.
  • We have started a new road project that will connect south and north Bengal.
  • We have increased medical seats from 1400 to 2900 in just four years.
  • There were only 30 govt colleges till 2011 in Bengal. We set up 45 new colleges in the last four years.
  • Dankuni has a huge potential. I ask the local municipality to work well.
  • Hooghly district has potential in agriculture, horticulture, cottage industries and tourism.
  • We have set up 5 new police commission rates, 75 new police stations, 88 fast-tracks.
  • We have started a housing scheme for police force.
  • CPM incurred huge debt in its final years so that the new government won’t be able to work.

 

 

New avenues in transport: New bus services for districts

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee launched new bus services for the districts today during her visit to Tehatta, Nadia district.

The Chief Minister flagged off 17 buses along 6 new routes at today’s function.

In the next one month, the West Bengal Government will introduce a fleet of 100 buses across districts. The routes have been decided via scientific reasoning. CTC will be operating these buses, which have all been bought with funds from the state government.

The services will benefit four districts around Kolkata – Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas and Nadia.

 

Chinese PSU Zhongtong plans Rs 250 Cr bus manufacturing facility in Bengal

A Chinese PSU is coming up with a bus manufacturing unit in Bengal Aerotropolis airport city project at Andal in Burdwan.

The standing committee of the Cabinet on industry, infrastructure and employment cleared the unit on Friday. The matter would now be placed before the state Cabinet.

The unit would be set up by Zhongtong, a bus manufacturing company, on 15 acres of land in the industrial hub of the airport city. There will be an initial investment of Rs 250 crore and after five years this would rise to Rs 1500 crore.

The buses would be termed as Bengal Zhongtong Bus and the company plans to manufacture 1,500 buses per year. The unit plans to start functioning from next year and the first bus is likely to roll out from the factory by October 2016.

 

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The culture of bandhs must be defeated: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Chairperson Ms Mamata Banerjee today urged people to defeat the culture of bandhs. She was addressing a press conference at Nabanna regarding the bandh called by communist parties.

“We need to get rid of this bandh culture. Those who destroyed Bengal for 34 years are now destroying development,” she said.

She added, “We have not called a bandh since 2009. We are against this bandh culture. Bandhs do not offer any solution.”

Slamming the CPI(M), she said that those who destroyed the infrastructure and economy of the State for 34 years have to right to terrorise people with culture of violence and hooliganism.

“They are like Kumbhakarna. They sleep for 6 months and wake up one day for photo-ops for TV channels,” the CM said.

Reiterating that Trinamool is pro-people, pro-worker and pro-farmer, Mamata Banerjee said that issues must be sorted through dialogue and discussion.

“We also have several objections to labour laws reforms by Centre. We have written to them. We do not endorse bandhs,” she said.

WB Govt offices to remain open during Sept 2 bandh

The West Bengal government on Monday made it mandatory for all its employees to be present on September 2 when a nation-wide trade union strike has been called by central trade unions.

In view of the trade union strike all over the country on September 2, government offices, including those provided with grant-in-aid, would remain open and no leave would be granted on that day, a memo, issued by state Finance Department, said.

Moreover, the directive said that absence of employees on that date would be treated as ‘dies non’ and no salary would be admissible.

Bengal Govt taking all measures to thwart CPI(M)’s bandh on Sept 2

West Bengal Government will take every measure possible to foil the nationwide strike called by the central trade unions on 2 September.

The State Government will take all ensure that the strike doesn’t disrupt the normal activities.

State transport corporations will run additional fleet of buses and government offices, including those provided with grants-in aid by the State Government will remain open.

Leaves are never granted to State Government employees who go on any strike. Like previous occasions, Government would issue circular directing employees to compulsorily report to work.

The State Government officials have also spoken to private bus operators. It is expected that the private bus service will also be normal on the day. The State Government will also run extra buses and trams on the day so that common people are not affected.

Eco-friendly buses to ply on Newtown roads

Electric-run buses will soon hit the roads of New Town in Rajarhat and nearby important junctions, connecting the township to the city. After the official team led by the West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee, spotted this form eco-friendly transport in London the ideas have taken form and are soon to be executed.

A MoU has already been signed between Hidco and Coal India Limited to operate the electric bus services in the township. The introduction will be with three electric-run buses that will ply circular routes in New Town, Rajarhat. The routes will end in important points linking the city, such as Ultadanga, Karunamoyee, Chinrighata and Chinar Park. The pollution-free buses would not only help the environment, but it would also boost the public transport system in New Town. The township is being developed as a green smart city and the electric-run buses will pave the way for the initiatives.

The New Town Development Authority is also trying to introduce e-ricksaws in the township that will run on short routes; it will be an alternative to the conventional autos. A plan for monorail is on the cards. The aim is to establish a smart public transport system for the township, which will be developed into a smart city. It entails having a personalized rapid transit system where vehicles will be pollution free, battery operated and will move on short routes.

WB CM flags off Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala bus service from Nabanna

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee today flagged off the new bus service which will connect Kolkata with Dhaka in Bangladesh and Agartala in the north-eastern state of Tripura.

West Bengal Chief Minister  flagged off the first bus in this route from the Nabanna complex.

The distance between Agartala and Kolkata via Dhaka is 500 km, but it is 1650 km if one travels through the ‘chicken’s neck’ connecting West Bengal to the north east and Guwahati.

Ms Mamata Banerjee termed the occasion as historic and stated that the bus service would strengthen the relationship between the two nations, India and Bangladesh. Thanking the officials for making this historic occasion possible she wished the passengers a safe journey ahead.