Srinagar gets first fleet of 20 electric buses, to be launched today

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 7

Aiming to reduce pollution level, the Srinagar city has got a fleet of 20 electric buses, to be launched for public service on Monday, July 8.

The Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) had purchased 40 electric buses under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing Hybrid and Electric (FAME) Vehicles scheme of the Central Government.

Under this scheme, both Jammu and Srinagar get 20 buses each, including charging points. However, due to the difficulties in transportation of these buses on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway, the launch of the project was delayed in the city.

“The first fleet of electric buses will be launched tomorrow. More to follow. Charging stations are ready and up,” Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Shahid Choudhary said, adding that in the first phase, 20 such busus were being launched from the civil secretariat on Monday.

Asked about the route plans of these buses, he said once the fleet is launched, the routes would be allotted accordingly.

These buses, manufactured by TATA, have a seating capacity of 30-32 passengers. These buses can cover a distance of 150 km after being charged once and do not emit fumes, thus helping reduce air pollution.

Though the fleet of 20 such buses was launched in Jammu city in May, however, for transporting the first batch of these buses to Srinagar, the suppliers had to install mobile charging points along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, delaying the launch.

Delayed project

Under this scheme, both Jammu and Srinagar get 20 buses each, including charging points. However, due to the difficulties in transportation of these buses on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway, the launch of the project was delayed in the city.