Stalled electric bus project leaves Faridabad struggling with pollution woes

Faridabad, one of Haryana’s most polluted urban centres, continues to struggle with vehicular pollution, particularly from public transportation.

Non-Euro 6 compliant buses to be barred

The Non-Euro 6 compliant buses would be barred from entering Delhi after the introduction of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), likely to be introduced in October this year due to the rise in air pollution. — Subhash Lamba, All-India Government Employees Federation

The much-anticipated proposal to introduce an electric bus service in the city remains stuck in bureaucratic limbo, as the Transport Department is yet to acquire the state-of-the-art buses needed for non-fossil fuel operation.

Currently, the department relies on 50 CNG-powered city buses, but the state Roadways Department’s buses, which operate on the inter-district and inter-state routes, are still diesel-based, according to sources within the department.

Present Cabinet Minister Mool Chand Sharma, who held the transport portfolio, had reiterated in January that the first batch of 50 battery-operated electric buses would be inducted into the local depot’s fleet by June this year. However, according to department sources, this initiative is yet to materialise.

Despite claims that similar projects have been launched in Panipat and Yamunanagar, with plans to introduce a total of 375 electric buses across all districts within a year, the situation in Faridabad remains unchanged. The number of electric buses was expected to increase to tackle pollution in the NCR and other urban areas.

It was announced that diesel and petrol buses would be replaced by electric ones, with the current CNG bus fleet operating under the Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority (FMDA). The electric bus project was primarily proposed to be funded by the Union Government, with a charging station planned for Sector 61. The FMDA has been asked to acquire around 10 acres for this purpose, according to an official.

Passenger fares for the electric buses were projected to be up to Rs 50. “The Non-Euro 6 compliant buses would be barred from entering Delhi after the introduction of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), likely to be introduced in October due to the rise in air pollution,” said Subhash Lamba of the All-India Government Employees Federation.

The authorities have been directed to ensure that all buses originating or terminating in the NCR run on the CNG or electric modes by June 30, 2026.

When asked about the current status of the project, Sharma said he had no updates, as he no longer headed the Transport Department.