All 40 electric buses hit key routes in Chandigarh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 22

The Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) has pressed all 40 electric buses into service on various routes in the city. UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit flagged off the first batch of 11 electric buses on November 13 last year.

To reduce air and noise pollution, the UT Administration has decided to replace its entire fleet of 358 diesel buses of the CTU with electric ones by 2027-28.

In September 2020, the Centre had sanctioned 80 electric buses for the UT under Phase II of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme. The UT had floated tenders for the procurement of 40 buses in the first phase.

Ashok Leyland was awarded the contract to run the environment-friendly buses for a period of 10 years on the basis of the kilo metre scheme.

An official said all electric buses had been delivered by December last year and now these had been made operational on express routes devised keeping in view the minimum travel time for commuters. Meanwhile, the process for procurement of another 40 electric buses has been started. An official said after getting approval from the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, the UT Administration has decided to invite bids for the second batch of 40 electric buses.

After being charged, a bus will be able to cover a distance of nearly 130 km. It will take nearly two or two and a half hours to fully charge a bus. Each bus has a seating capacity of 36 people and a maximum of 54 people will be able to travel at a time, and will run 200-300 km in a day.

A charging station has been set up at Depot No.3 in Sector-25. The buses has also been fitted with fire detection and alarm system.

Ministry gives nod

An official said after getting approval from the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, the UT has decided to invite bids for the second batch of 40 electric buses.

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