City Reports

Rajasthan Roadways plans to buy 65 electric buses to curb pollution

In the first phase, these buses will operate between either Delhi and Jaipur or Agra and Jaipur. The administration will purchase the first lot of 15 buses soon, sources said.

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February 24, 2019, 11:22 am

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Jaipur: Rajasthan Roadways administration is taking yet another step to curb pollution caused by the buses. The corporation is planning to buy super-luxury electric buses (hybrid vehicles). In the first phase, these buses will operate between either Delhi and Jaipur or Agra and Jaipur. The administration will purchase the first lot of 15 buses soon, sources said.

These will be luxury buses similar to Volvo. A company had given a presentation to the Rajasthan Roadways officials following which a proposal has been submitted to the government. If the government approves the proposal, the administration will buy the buses. Apart from 15 luxury buses, the administration is planning to buy 50 normal electric vehicles to run them on local routes. The total cost of buying 65 buses will be around Rs 100 crore.

“The bus will be equipped with two batteries. Each fully-charged battery will be enough to run the buses for 200 km. On the routes, we will set up battery charges in the depos so that the batteries could be charged,” said an officer.

Rajasthan transport minister Pratap Singh Khachariawas said that the company officials have given the presentation.

“We are considering these buses because they will be more cost-effective and help curb pollution caused by fuel-driven buses,” said the minister.

Electric buses are currently plying in Delhi, UP and Himachal Pradesh. Rajasthan will be the fourth state to use electric buses for public transport.

First published: February 24, 2019