SHIMLA- Himachal Pradesh will soon be the first state in India to introduce inter-state zero-emission electric buses. The Central government sanctioned Rs 35 crore for the project and the process of tender has started.
We will receive funds to introduce environment friendly electric bus service. Charging stations will be set up at bus stands soon,said Transport Minister GS Bali.
The Government of India is to pay 75% of the funds for the project with the state to cover 25%.
However, the state government wants the Centre to pay 90% and will take it up with the Union government.
We believe that the funds should be sanctioned to us in 90:10 ratio. I will meet Union transport minister to discuss the issue. The buses, each costing Rs 1.75 crore, will be imported.
These pollution free buses would be charged at fixed charging stations, which will be constructed at bus stands. A bus can run around 100 kms after being charged.
Trials of the electric buses have been successful,he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted two electric buses to lawmakers in the Lok Sabha under a pilot project last December.
The government has also decided to exclude about 647 buses from its fleet which are more than 10 years old. These will be replaced by the electric buses.
Minister has claimed that electric buses will run smoothly in this state considering the geographical conditions and there will be no glitches in this project.