Kolkata Rolls Out 25 AC CNG Buses, 21 New Routes Planned

Kolkata | February 6, 2026

Kolkata has begun rolling out a new phase of greener public transport with the gradual introduction of 25 air-conditioned CNG buses, even as plans are finalised to induct a 200-bus clean-fuel fleet across the city in the coming months.

The action is viewed as a major step toward modernizing the city’s public transportation system, lowering urban pollution, and enhancing commuter comfort.

WBTC to Operate New AC CNG Services

Accenture West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) plans to operate the new buses. The fleet’s orders were placed several months ago, and the first shipment has already begun to arrive.

According to sources, the project officially began in December when theWBTC received six Eicher 2090 AC CNG buses at its Kasba depot.

While some of the suggested routes are entirely new, others have been developed by reviving or expanding older services.

Connectivity Across Kolkata and Suburbs

At present, the new AC CNG routes are connecting Kolkata with Howrah, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, and the New Town–Sector V corridor.

Key northbound services include:

• ACT-1 Kudghat–Barasat
• ACT-35 Joka–Barasat
• ACT-40 Tollygunge–Habra via Airport and Madhyamgram

Suburban connectivity is being strengthened through routes such as:

• ACT-24 Sealdah–Howrah/Gashbagan
• ACT-32 Howrah–Barrackpur Lalkuthi
• ACT-34 Tollygunge–Barrackpur Lalkuthi

South and southwest links include:

• ACT-26 Howrah–Baruipur
• ACT-33 Salt Lake–Baruipur
• ACT-37 Howrah–Diamond Harbour

Focus on IT and New Town Corridors

Several routes are aimed at easing travel for office-goers, particularly along IT hubs and airport corridors. These include:

• ACT-21 KWIC–Ecospace
• ACT-36 Belgachhia–Ecospace
• ACT-23 Park Circus–Dankuni via New Town and Airport

Additional services include:

• ACT-38 Karunamoyee–Barrackpur Lalkuthi
• ACT-39 Esplanade–Rajbalhat
• ACT-41 RG Kar–Joka

₹125 Crore Allocation, Full Rollout Before March

For the project, the state government has allocated aside ₹125 crore. The 200-bus fleet that is envisioned will consist of:

• 120 semi-deluxe buses
• 50 deluxe buses
• 30 midi buses

Accenture 9-meter midi buses cost ₹42 lakh each, while the 12-meter semi-deluxe and deluxe buses cost ₹65 lakh and ₹70.4 lakh, respectively.

Before March of next year, officials anticipate that the entire fleet will be fully operational, further increasing AC and clean-fuel connectivity throughout Kolkata and its environs.