Leh, August 31: In a major step towards developing safe, smart and sustainable public transport infrastructure in Ladakh, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Monday laid the foundation stone for 30 Ladakhi Smart Bus Shelters, with 15 each planned for Leh and Kargil.
The project has been designed keeping in mind Ladakh's harsh climatic conditions and the needs of students, senior citizens, women, working professionals and daily commuters who often have to wait for public transport in the open during the severe winter months.
The smart shelters will be equipped with modern passenger information and safety facilities, including GPS-enabled Passenger Information Display Systems, LED screens, GPS-based bus tracking and real-time Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) services.
For enhanced safety, the shelters will feature CCTV surveillance, SOS and emergency buttons, first-aid kits, emergency oxygen cylinders and fire extinguishers. Tactile tiles and accessible pathways will also be incorporated to make the facilities more inclusive, particularly for visually impaired and other passengers with accessibility needs.
A key component of the project is its focus on renewable energy. Each shelter will be equipped with a 2 KW solar photovoltaic system, battery storage and a hybrid inverter. The solar power generated will support Wi-Fi, passenger information displays and other essential facilities, reducing dependence on grid electricity and helping lower operational costs.
The initiative is also aligned with Ladakh's vision of becoming a carbon-neutral Union Territory, officials said.
The shelters will incorporate elements of Ladakhi architecture, blending modern technology with the region's cultural identity and heritage.
Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony, Saxena said the initiative goes beyond the construction of bus shelters and aims to create safe, comfortable, technology-enabled and environmentally sustainable public transport facilities suited to Ladakh's unique conditions.
The shelters will provide covered seating and weather-protected waiting areas, offering commuters protection from extreme cold, strong winds and snowfall.
The Lieutenant Governor expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their continued support and guidance in the development of modern infrastructure and public facilities in Ladakh.
"These Smart Bus Shelters will become symbols of better mobility, safety, technology, sustainability and citizen-centric services in Ladakh. Our aim is to create infrastructure that responds to our difficult climate, is environment-friendly and, most importantly, meets the daily needs of our people," Saxena said.
He also urged residents to take ownership of the new facilities and cooperate with the Administration in keeping the smart bus shelters clean, well-maintained and functional.
