India’s first amphibious bus project launched in Punjab

The Punjab Government on 12 December 2016 launched country’s first amphibious bus project at the Harike wetland near Amritsar. The project was launched nearly two years after it was announced.
●    The water bus, Punjab Harike Water Cruise, will enter the Harike Pattan wetland after transversing on-road and off-road terrains. The project has cost the state government over Rs 11 crore.
●    This amphibious bus project was launched by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. After launching the project, Badal took the inaugural ride of the bus with officials and media on Satluj-Beas confluence. He informed that this amphibious bus can travel on land as well as water.
●    These amphibious busses will be run by the Punjab Tourism department.
●    IT has a seating capacity of 34 people and is equipped with life jackets for everyone.
●    At present, the route of the bus includes a 13-kilometer ride from Amritsar to the Harike wetlands, which the bus is expected to traverse over 45 minutes. It will then traverse 4km on water.