Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Harsh Sanghavi inaugurated 139 new buses under the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Janjatiya Gaurav Parivahan Seva to provide safe, reliable, and timely transportation facilities to students from remote tribal areas.
The initiative aims to improve access to education for tribal students living in interior, hilly, and inaccessible regions by connecting them with schools and colleges located far from their homes.
The new buses have been introduced through a joint effort of the Tribal Development Department, Government of Gujarat, and the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) at a cost of ₹33.84 crore.
250 Buses Planned Under ₹72 Crore Tribal Transport Initiative
Under the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Janjatiya Gaurav Parivahan Seva, the Gujarat government has approved the deployment of 250 buses at a total cost of ₹72 crore.
The initiative focuses on providing:
- Safe transportation facilities for tribal students.
- Better connectivity between villages and educational institutions.
- Support for higher education and girls’ education.
- Reduction in school and college dropout rates.
The buses will benefit students residing in remote tribal regions where transportation facilities are limited.
More Than 4,100 Tribal Students to Benefit from New Bus Services
With the launch of the additional 139 buses, more than 4,100 tribal students are expected to benefit from regular transportation services for commuting to schools and colleges.
The scheme will help students by ensuring:
- Timely travel from home to educational institutions.
- Safe return after school and college hours.
- Improved attendance.
- Greater participation in higher education.
The initiative is expected to create new opportunities for tribal youth, especially girls, by making education more accessible.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Launched First Phase of Scheme
The first phase of the initiative was launched on November 15, 2025, on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi flagged off the first 111 buses from Dediapada in Narmada district for students from tribal areas.
During the 2026-27 academic year, around 5,700 students are benefiting from the overall bus service launched under the scheme.
GPS-Enabled Buses and Digital Monitoring System Introduced
All buses deployed under the initiative are equipped with GPS technology for real-time monitoring.
A dedicated web portal will provide daily updates related to:
- Names of students travelling on buses.
- Bus pass details.
- Routes.
- Schools and colleges covered.
- Village information.
The digital monitoring system will help ensure transparency, safety, and efficient operation of the transport service.
Buses to Support Tribal Communities Beyond Student Transport
Apart from transporting students during school and college hours, the buses will also be made available to people living in tribal areas under a revenue model.
This will help improve mobility and connectivity for local communities while ensuring better utilisation of transport resources.
Government Focuses on Tribal Education and Empowerment
The Bhagwan Birsa Munda Janjatiya Gaurav Parivahan Seva reflects the Gujarat government’s commitment to strengthening educational opportunities for tribal communities.
The initiative aims to:
- Encourage tribal students to continue higher education.
- Promote girls’ education.
- Improve accessibility to educational institutions.
- Support inclusive development in tribal regions.
The programme is inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure equal opportunities and development for tribal communities.
Ministers and Officials Attend Launch Event
The inauguration event was attended by:
- Mr. Naresh Patel, Tribal Development Minister.
- Mr. Pravin Mali, Minister of State for Transport.
- Mr. P. C. Baranda, Minister of State.
- Mr. Jayram Gaomit, Minister of State.
- Mr. Ramesh Katara, Minister of State.
- Members of Legislative Assembly from tribal regions.
- Mr. M. K. Das, Chief Secretary, Gujarat.
- Senior officials from concerned departments.
The launch marks another step towards improving educational access and strengthening transportation infrastructure for tribal students across Gujarat.
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