1000 new buses under JNNURM scheme in Kolkata by March

Mitra said there would also be smaller 20-seater buses for which license would be given to unemployed youths

A total of 1000 new buses under the JNNURM scheme would be on the roads in Kolkata by March next year, Transport Minister Madan Mitra said today.

"Within March you will see 1000 new buses under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme. We will help those who have old buses to get loan to buy new ones and will also issue permits within 72 hours," Mitra told reporters at a function here. He said there would also be smaller 20-seater buses for which license would be given to unemployed youths.

Asked about the decreasing number of buses on the city's roads, he blamed it on the previous Left Front regime.

"During their rule many buses were burnt on the streets during protests. We will soon have an exhibition of burnt buses," Mitra said.

About taxis, he said they were slowly changing colour from yellow to blue and white.