Chandigarh, July 8 -- UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria on Tuesday directed officials to increase bus frequency on busy routes, strengthen tricity connectivity, and tighten oversight of app-based transport aggregators. Chairing a high-level review meeting, Kataria flagged gaps in last-mile connectivity and public convenience, calling for 'smarter transport planning' to reduce travel time and make public transport a preferred choice. He asked the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) to rationalise services by boosting buses on high-demand routes while cutting inefficiencies on underutilised ones. A key focus of the meeting was seamless connectivity across the tricity-Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, Zirakpur and Kharar-as well as better inter-state links with Punjab and Haryana. Officials were told to rework route planning to address commuter demand more effectively. Reviewing fleet modernisation, the administrator emphasised scaling up low-floor and electric buses. Under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme, 100 e-buses have been sanctioned, of which 80 are already operational. The administration is now planning to add 328 more electric buses, indicating a major shift towards cleaner public transport. Kataria also called for exploring a grid-based route planning model to improve efficiency and commuter convenience. In a bid to address CTU's financial stress, he suggested increasing non-fare revenue through advertisements on buses and transport infrastructure, alongside upgrading passenger information systems with digital displays, QR-based services and physical timing charts. On long-distance routes, the administrator ordered a review of operational and financial viability, hinting at possible restructuring. The meeting also took up regulation of app-based transport aggregators under the Chandigarh Administration Motor Vehicle Aggregator Rules, 2025. Kataria stressed that aggregator services must complement public transport without compromising passenger safety or driver interests. Discussions were also held on framing a policy for bike taxi services....