Govt seeking funds from NABARD to buy 327 electric buses: Dy CM

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri today said that the state government had sought funds from NABARD for the purchase of 327 electric buses to gradually phase out diesel buses in the fleet of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC). Agnihotri stated this while replying to a question asked by Naina Devi MLA Randhir Sharma during the Question Hour in the Vidhan Sabha.

Agnihotri, who also holds the transport portfolio, said that a request in this regard had been made to NABARD. “It is in the same manner in which the previous BJP regime had sought NABARD funds for setting up ropeways that we have sought funds for the purchase of electric buses and setting up of charging stations,” he added.

Agnihotri said that the supply of 297 electric buses would be made within the next 11 months. The companies manufacturing electric buses were not in a position to meet the huge demand in one go. “Two companies have sent their bids for the supply of electric buses in response to tenders floated by the HRTC. Moreover, since the maintenance cost of electric buses is very expensive, this component needs to be taken care of while making the purchase,” he added.

He said that the government had also requested the companies to make changes in the buses to suit the hilly terrain. To another question asked by Randhir Sharma whether the economic cost of switching over to electric buses from diesel ones had been worked out, he admitted that it was beyond the capacity of the HRTC to purchase electric buses.

Agnihotri stated that the state government had provided Rs 110 crore for the purchase of electric vehicles and setting up of charging stations. Petroleum companies running filling stations, too, had been requested to set up charging stations, he added.

He said that the HRTC would purchase 250 diesel buses but of a smaller size and the state government was providing funds for it. “The Central Government has imposed the condition of abandoning 15 or more years old buses and all one-year old other vehicles and the state government is trying to purchase 600 new diesel buses by the end of this year,” he added. Besides, the state government would also purchase 100 tempo travellers for transport purpose in tribal areas.

Agnihotri said that the HRTC was providing welfare services to people living in every nook and corner of the state. “We will try to replace at least 1,000 diesel buses this year and an order for 600 buses has already been placed,” he told the House.