UT plans electric buses in city

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 7   

To reduce vehicular pollution, the UT Administration has initiated the process to introduce  electric buses in the city. The CTU has invited the expression of  Interest from manufactures of the buses. 

Initially, the project will be started on a pilot basis on a couple of routes  with the eight to 10 buses.  

 The companies will have to submit a  proposal, along the related infrastructure needed for running the buses.  The companies have been asked to submit the proposal till January  23.   

 Sources said the work on the project started  after the  approval of  UT Administrator VP  Singh Badnore.  The Union Government is providing subsidy to introduce zero-emission retrofitted electric buses under its flagship scheme FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in India). Under the FAME India, the Union Goverment will fund up to 75 per cent cost of the buses. All electric infrastructure, including the setting up of charging stations, will be undertaken by the companies.

An official said an electric bus was a zero-emission vehicle, which was safer than the traditional buses. An electric bus will have all features such as an AC, CCTV camera, public address system, firefighting equipment and comfortable seating facilities for all passengers.