11 electric buses flagged off in Chandigarh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 13

After a long wait, city residents will now be able to travel in non-polluting electric buses. UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit today flagged off 11 electric buses on commercial operations.

“The necessity of the replacement of diesel buses with electrical ones is to limit the reliance on diesel fuel and to lay stress on environment-friendly transportation for Chandigarh,” stated the Administrator. Fully electric buses emit zero tailpipe emissions. To avoid Delhi-like situation in Chandigarh, people should switch over to electric vehicles, as vehicle emission was a major cause of air pollution, he said.

“The Chandigarh Administration intends to replace all local buses with the electric one in a phased manner under the Green City theme,” said UT Adviser Dharam Pal, adding that the entire fleet of 40 electric buses would be put on commercial operations by the end of December this year.

Buses put on express route

Keeping in view a minimum travel time for commuters, the UT Transport Department has come up with express routes for electric buses. These buses will ply on express route 551E- ISBT43 to PGI with limited stops at ISBT 17, Sector 16 Hospital and New PGI OPD.

Further, diesel buses by the decreasing detention count are being deputed on two express routes — L1E- ISBT-17 to Kharar via ISBT-Mohali and SU4E- PGI-ISBT17-Railway Station-ISBT Panchkula. These routes will be operated with 10-20 minutes frequency. As and when electric buses would arrive, these express routes — L1E and SU4E — will have electric buses.

The Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India, has sanctioned 80 electric buses to Chandigarh under FAME India Scheme, Phase-II. For the second lot of 40 electric buses, e-tender has been invited and these will be put on commercial operations in coming financial year, added the Adviser.

Vehicle develops snag

One of the 11 electric buses developed some technical snag and stopped on the road opposite the Sector 17 bus stand. This led to a traffic jam. An official of the Transport Department stated that the technical snag was fixed within a short time and the bus resumed its onward journey.

Key features

• Air-conditioning system with individual air vents
• Seating capacity of 35 passengers and 20 standees
• Passenger information screens at front, rear, side and inside saloon area
• Pneumatically controlled passenger doors
• Panic button in case of emergency
• Mobile charging points for each row of seat
• Air suspension at rear

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