Serving as the lifeline of Gujarat, GSRTC combines scale, innovation, and reliability to deliver safe, efficient, and inclusive mobility to millions daily. In this exclusive interview, Shri M. Nagarajan, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC), shares with Dr. Asawari Savant & Muskan Jaiswal of Elets News Network (ENN), about how Gujarat’s state transport leader is setting new benchmarks in efficiency, technology adoption, and green mobility, delivering safe, reliable, and inclusive public transport across the state. Edited excerpts:

GSRTC currently operates approximately 8,703 buses, covering 99.3% of Gujarat’s 18,676 villages and serving nearly the entire population, with around 27 lakh passengers daily. What strategic measures are you initiating to expand green corridors, introduce EV buses, and further elevate rural connectivity?

GSRTC has long been the backbone of Gujarat’s mobility network, connecting even the remotest corners of the state. Our next big leap is to embed sustainability into this vast reach by developing green mobility corridors in line with the state’s vision of clean transport.

We are rolling out electric buses across intra-city and priority inter-city routes, starting with high-density corridors such as Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot. In parallel, rural and tribal belts remain a core focus, as dependable public transport directly strengthens livelihoods, education, and healthcare access.

Our strategy blends fuel-efficient conventional buses with phased EV deployment, ensuring seamless rural access while steadily reducing our carbon footprint. In addition, dedicated Green Corridors are being planned in tourism zones and industrial hubs, which will not only cut emissions but also enhance last-mile rural connectivity.

This approach ensures GSRTC doesn’t just maintain 99.3% village coverage—it expands it into a sustainable, future-ready network that supports both Gujarat’s growth and India’s broader green mobility goals.

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GSRTC averages about 32.5 lakh km daily across 47,462 trips, with strong metrics like a 69.5% load factor and a breakdown rate maintained at 0.01 per 10,000 km. Could you highlight the operational enhancements and technology implementations behind these improvements?

Operating at a scale of 32.5 lakh km daily across 47,462 trips requires precision and constant innovation. GSRTC has achieved benchmark efficiency—69.5% load factor and a breakdown rate of just 0.01 per 10,000 km, among the lowest in India—through a combination of operational discipline and technology adoption.

• Predictive Maintenance: With advanced telematics and digital monitoring, we service vehicles proactively, minimising downtime and ensuring fleet reliability.
• AI-Driven Load Optimisation: Data-based route planning and demand forecasting have enabled us to consistently maintain high load factors while maximising fleet utilisation.
• Smart Operations & Accountability: GPS-enabled bus tracking, central control rooms, and driver performance analytics provide real-time oversight, creating a culture of safety, punctuality, and efficiency.

Together, these initiatives have transformed GSRTC into a datadriven, passenger-focused, and performance-led organisation, setting new benchmarks in state-run mobility.

With Gujarat already registering over 2.5 lakh EVs and establishing 1,000+ charging stations under the ₹870 crore Gujarat EV Policy 2021, how is GSRTC aligning its fleet electrification strategy to contribute to the state’s ambitious target of 20 lakh EVs by 2030?

Gujarat has already established itself as a frontrunner in e-mobility, with more than 2.5 lakh EVs registered and over 1,000 charging stations developed under the ₹870 crore Gujarat EV Policy 2021, which aims to achieve 20 lakh EVs by 2030. At GSRTC, we are closely aligning with this vision through a phased fleet electrification strategy. In the first phase, we are introducing electric buses on urban and shortdistance routes, where charging cycles are easier to manage and infrastructure is already available. As charging networks expand further, we will scale this transition to inter-city corridors, particularly across green tourism zones, industrial hubs, and high-density routes. This approach ensures that electrification is both seamless and sustainable.

We are also working in close coordination with GEDA, city authorities, and the Transport Department so that our rollouts are fully synchronised with the state’s infrastructure build-out. Through this strategy, GSRTC is not only electrifying its fleet but also positioning itself as a catalyst in Gujarat’s clean mobility transition, reducing emissions while continuing to provide safe, reliable, and affordable transport across the state.

Over the last eight years, GSRTC has inducted 19,943 new buses at a cost of ₹4,644.5 crore, reducing older vehicles and introducing superior services like luxury and AC coaches. How has this affected service quality, and what are your future priorities for modernisation and fleet renewal?

Over the last eight years, GSRTC has undertaken one of the largest modernisation drives in its history, inducting 19,943 new buses at an investment of ₹4,644.5 crore. This has allowed us to systematically phase out older, high-maintenance vehicles and replace them with modern, reliable, and passenger-friendly options. The impact has been visible across the board—passengers today experience far greater comfort with the expansion of AC coaches, sleeper buses, and luxury services; our operating efficiency has improved thanks to more fuel-efficient and durable vehicles; and even in the remotest villages, travellers now have access to safer and more dignified journeys.

Looking ahead, our priorities are centred on building a futureready fleet. We are gradually transitioning towards greener mobility through EV and CNG buses, while also investing in digital-first smart buses equipped with features like infotainment, Wi-Fi, and advanced safety systems. At the same time, we are strengthening depot infrastructure to support clean energy, predictive maintenance, and enhanced passenger services. Through these efforts, GSRTC is ensuring that service quality not only keeps pace with rising expectations but also sets new benchmarks in public transport for Gujarat and the country.

GSRTC was a pioneer in introducing GPS/PIS-based bus tracking, e-ticketing, mobile passes, and enhanced luggage allowances. As you look ahead, what digital and customer-centric innovations are in the pipeline—such as smart ticketing or AI-based insights to further elevate the travel experience?

GSRTC has always been at the forefront of leveraging technology to enhance the passenger experience, pioneering initiatives such as GPS/PIS-based bus tracking, e-ticketing, and mobile passes, along with enhanced luggage allowances. Building on this foundation, we are now moving into the next phase of digital and customer-centric innovation. Our focus includes smart ticketing solutions, such as QR code-based digital tickets fully integrated with UPI and the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), to make travel more seamless and cashless.

In addition, we are implementing AI-driven insights for dynamic demand forecasting, optimised route scheduling, and improved fleet utilisation, ensuring both efficiency and convenience. On the passenger experience front, personalised journey planning via mobile apps, real-time alerts, and smooth multimodal integration with metro and rail networks will provide travellers with more control and flexibility. Furthermore, safety remains a top priority, with AI-enabled driver alert systems and advanced surveillance enhancing security across the fleet.

Through these initiatives, GSRTC is transforming into a truly digital-first, passenger-focused organisation, setting new benchmarks for public transport in Gujarat while ensuring every journey is safer, smarter, and more comfortable.

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With initiatives like free travel for village girl students and increased luggage allowances, GSRTC demonstrates a strong passenger welfare focus. How do these social measures support the vision of Viksit Bharat and integrate into long-term strategic planning?

Public transport is not just about moving people—it is a powerful enabler of social and economic opportunities. At GSRTC, we recognise that accessibility and affordability can transform lives, particularly in rural Gujarat. Initiatives like free travel for village girl students, concessional passes, and increased luggage allowances are designed to ensure that education and empowerment are within reach for all. These measures help young women and marginalised communities access schools, colleges, and workplaces, creating real socioeconomic impact at the grassroots level.

By connecting people to opportunities, we are fostering the mobility of aspirations, a principle that lies at the heart of Viksit Bharat’s inclusive growth agenda. Our long-term planning ensures that these welfare initiatives are not isolated programs but integral to a modernisation strategy that blends social equity with fleet modernisation, green mobility, and digital innovation, creating a transport ecosystem that is efficient, sustainable, and socially responsible.

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