In a significant development for public transport in Ahmedabad, the Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) has announced that its electric buses will soon operate on both banks of the Sabarmati Riverfront. This marks the first time public buses will access the stretch since its opening in 2012. The move comes in response to long-standing commuter demands amid ongoing expansions of the riverfront project.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) revealed on Thursday that AMTS buses would soon run on both the east and west banks of the 9-km Sabarmati Riverfront stretch. Previously, only private two- and four-wheelers were permitted, with no public transport, including autorickshaws, allowed to maintain the area as a recreational space free from heavy traffic.
AMTS Transport Manager (General) R L Pandey stated, “This is the first time that AMTS buses will run on both the banks of the Sabarmati Riverfront. Based on a survey, the number of EV buses and their frequency will be announced soon.” The announcement was part of the Rs 991-crore draft budget for 2026-27, emphasizing environment-friendly electric vehicles.
Currently, two CNG buses operate on the west bank between Vadaj and Vasna as part of a pilot project launched in June 2024, making about eight to ten trips daily. Officials noted that the initial exclusion of public transport aimed to preserve the riverfront's parks, gardens, and promenades for public enjoyment rather than as a traffic route.
The Sabarmati Riverfront project, operational since 2012 in phase 1 (11.5 km from Vasna Barrage to Torrent Power House), is expanding to 38 km across six phases, potentially becoming India's longest. Phases two to five, extending to GIFT City in Gandhinagar, are progressing, with phase two adding 5.8 km on the east and 5.2 km on the west up to Indira Bridge.
Broader AMTS plans include converting the entire fleet to air-conditioned electric buses by 2030, with 90% being new additions. The fleet will grow from 1,200 to 1,600 buses in 2026-27, including procurements of 225 electric buses, 25 of which have already been delivered. Solar charging stations will be set up at depots in Jamalpur, Vasna, Vadaj, and Memnagar. Free rides will be provided to workers registered with the Shramyogi Kalyan Board via a shramik pass.
The budget anticipates Rs 358 crore in income, including Rs 100 crore from AMC, with salary and pension costs at Rs 347 crore and a Rs 600 crore loan.