Gujarat gets 101 new ST buses before Raksha Bandhan: 6,500 extra trips to run till August 30; Harsh Sanghav

The new fleet has been designed with greater emphasis on cleanliness, passenger convenience and comfort. The buses will also be deployed for special Raksha Bandhan services across the state.

The new buses were ceremonially worshipped according to traditional rituals, while Gandhinagar Mayor Meera Patel applied vermilion marks to the vehicles. Sanghavi then handed over the keys to the drivers and inspected one of the new buses.

Female conductors tied rakhis to Sanghavi and Minister Arjun Modhwadia as part of an advance Raksha Bandhan celebration. Sanghavi also presented gifts to the conductors and thanked ST Corporation employees for serving passengers round the clock, including during festivals.

To handle the expected festive rush, the ST Corporation has planned around 6,500 additional trips across Gujarat between August 26 and August 30.

Special services will connect major cities, including Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot, as well as pilgrimage centres such as Ambaji, Pavagadh and Somnath.