Electric Buses to Ply in Delhi on Trial Basis From Next Month
The government plans to induct 1,000 buses for commutation purpose by June-July next year, said Deputy CM Manish Sisodia.
New Delhi, Sept 4: As part of the Delhi government's campaign to promote electric mobility, three green buses, which would run not on fuel but batteries, will be operational from next month on trial basis.
State Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said e-buses, if successful, would be among the most significant steps to battle pollution in Delhi-NCR. The government plans to induct 1,000 buses for commutation purpose by June-July next year.
Electric buses, through an environment-friendly option, has not succeeded on the cost parameters when compared to their diesel and CNG counterparts. However, Gahlot pointed out that an electric bus model, shared by a Chinese firm last year, proved to be cheaper than the CNG-run buses currently plying in the national capital.
The electric bus which operated on trial basis in March between the Delhi Secretariat to the Central Secretariat, prove to be cost-efficient apart from being eco-friendly, Gahlot added.
Following the trial-run next month, the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) will provide a report to the government by October, which would specify the exact cost to be incurred by the exchequer for rolling out the e-buses, along with the source of funding.
Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the State Cabinet has already given the in-principle approval for the project. The government, will however, deliberate on the cost parameters after the DIMTS submits the report next month.
As part of the plans, five e-bus depots will also be set up in East Vinod Nagar, Bawana,Burari, Rohini and Narela.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 04, 2018 01:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).