Raj mulls CNG buses in Sariska after bids for electric buses fail

Jaipur: The state forest department is considering introducing CNG buses in Sariska Tiger Reserve after repeated attempts to launch electric bus services failed to attract operators.Despite issuing tenders twice and extending deadlines several times, no companies came forward to run the service. Officials will now seek permission from the Supreme Court to operate CNG buses, which are also recognised as a green energy option.A forest officer said, "In a recent meeting, it was discussed to explore alternative options and request the Hon'ble Supreme Court for CNG operations. The proposal will be presented in the next hearing (at the court)."The push to introduce electric buses came when Supreme Court's December deadline for reducing vehicular pollution in the reserve approached. The court had directed EV operations to safeguard the ecological sensitivity of Sariska, the only tiger habitat in the National Capital Region (NCR).Rajasthan roadways was asked to issue tenders, but potential operators cited the twice-weekly schedule, Tuesdays and Saturdays, as financially unviable. Sariska, spread over 800 sq km, experiences heavy traffic from devotees visiting multiple temples within the reserve, including the Pandupol Temple, located 22 kilometres inside the core zone. At present, vehicles registered in Alwar and Bhiwadi districts are allowed entry on these two days. Under the proposed system, visitors will need to park vehicles at the reserve's office premises and travel to the temple via electric or CNG buses.
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