by Tehreem Parvaiz
SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the finance portfolio, on Friday outlined a major transport push in the Budget 2026–27 speech in Jammu, saying the revival of the Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation will be a key focus of the coming year.
Abdullah said the revival of the Darbar move has already benefited transport operators and reiterated that JK RTC continues to provide uninterrupted services for passengers, food traders and horticulture providers, reinforcing its role as a reliable public transport and logistics provider. He added that strengthening inter-district transport, particularly in rural and underserved areas, is essential to provide reliable and affordable services.
As part of a green mobility initiative under the PME DRIVE scheme, the government plans to induct 200 electric buses, with an estimated investment of Rs 350 crore, to replace ageing diesel fleets with modern zero-emission vehicles and bolster JK RTC’s commercial and logistical capacity. The Chief Minister said 50 new trucks will be procured under central assistance, with funding of Rs 75.7 crore allocated for that purchase.
The transport sector has been allocated Rs 21 crore under capital expenditure for 2026–27, the Chief Minister said, signalling the government’s intent to prioritise upgraded fleet capacity and expanded connectivity across the Union Territory.
