26 August,2026 03:03 PM IST | Ahmedabad | mid-day online correspondent
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi flags off new buses ahead of `Raksha Bandhan`, in Gujarat. Pic/PTI
The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) will operate around 6,500 additional bus trips across the state between August 26 and 30 to meet the expected increase in passenger demand during the Raksha Bandhan festival.
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi flagged off 101 newly inducted ST buses from Gandhinagar on Wednesday. The new fleet includes 71 Super Express buses, 20 Midi buses and 10 Sleeper Coach buses.
The newly inducted buses will also be deployed for the special arrangements being made for Raksha Bandhan, officials said.
GSRTC has planned additional services on routes connecting major cities such as Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot. Special buses will also operate towards prominent pilgrimage destinations, including Ambaji, Pavagadh and Somnath.
Passengers can use advance booking facilities available online as well as at ST depots to plan their journeys during the festival period.
Last year, the corporation operated 6,402 additional trips during Raksha Bandhan and transported around 3.33 lakh passengers. This year, the number of special trips has been increased to 6,500 in anticipation of a higher festival rush.
Science and Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia said the induction of the 101 buses was part of efforts under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi to provide convenient, safe and comfortable public transport to citizens, employees and students.
He said special bus services had also been introduced on new routes ahead of Raksha Bandhan to make travelling easier for people coming from different parts of Gujarat.
During the programme, women conductors of the ST Corporation tied rakhis to Sanghavi as part of an advance Raksha Bandhan celebration.
Officials said ST drivers, conductors and other operational staff would continue providing round-the-clock services during the festival, enabling passengers to travel while transport employees remain on duty.
Sanghavi congratulated GSRTC employees for their service and thanked them for ensuring transport facilities across the state. He also inspected one of the newly launched buses.
The corporation has appealed to passengers to make use of the additional services and advance booking facilities during the five-day period.
(With inputs from PTI)
