Chandigarh’s transport department plans to phase out the remaining 170 CTU diesel buses on local routes by March, as part of a shift towards cleaner public transport.
What is known so far
Chandigarh’s Transport Department plans to phase out the remaining 170 diesel buses operated by Chandigarh Transport Undertaking on local Tricity routes by March. The proposal marks another step in the shift towards cleaner public transport, although the briefing does not specify whether all replacement vehicles have been ordered, when deliveries are expected or which routes will change first. Replacing diesel buses can help reduce tailpipe pollution, but the environmental outcome depends on the type of vehicles introduced, their electricity or fuel source and how reliably the fleet is operated. For passengers, the transition also needs to preserve route coverage, frequency and affordability so that service changes do not make commuting more difficult. The term Tricity generally refers to Chandigarh and its neighbouring urban areas, where buses connect residential, educational and commercial destinations across administrative boundaries. A successful phase-out will require coordinated scheduling, depot and charging or refuelling infrastructure, maintenance arrangements and clear public communication. The March target is a plan, not confirmation that the entire fleet has already been replaced.
