BILASPUR,INDIA: The Chhattisgarh High Court has directed the state government to provide updates regarding the operation of inter-city and city buses during a hearing on the issue of dilapidated buses in the state.

The court, which had taken suo motu cognizance of the matter, expressed concern over the condition of buses and the status of bus services.

In response, Additional Advocate General Yashwant Singh requested additional time to prepare an action plan, which the court granted. The next hearing is scheduled for January 17.

Earlier, the High Court had raised questions about how the government planned to address the issue of deteriorating buses. At that time, the state had assured the court that electric buses would be introduced under the Central Government’s PME scheme, to be operational in cities such as Bilaspur by December.

During the latest hearing, Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha led the division bench, where the Additional Advocate General informed the court that permanent permits had been issued for 4,604 buses in the state. When asked whether this figure was merely on paper or reflected actual operations, the government confirmed that these buses were indeed running.

The court pressed for a comprehensive plan on how the government intends to retire outdated buses, address their tariffs, and manage the disposal of scrap vehicles. The Additional Advocate General also stated that, under a new scheme, electric buses would be rolled out by the end of the year and that an action plan was in the works to streamline bus services and manage the disposal of old buses.

The court has adjourned the matter, with the next hearing set for January 17, where it expects the government to submit its detailed action plan.