The Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) on Wednesday launched 75 e-buses in Srinagar, saying that more 25 electric buses will be plying on the roads in next few days.
The e-buses were inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha this afternoon.
Pertinently, Jammu and Kashmir administration has procured 200 e-buses, 100 each for Jammu and Srinagar cities. These air conditioned buses with CCTVs installed inside have been procured under the Smart City project.
The e-buses will also have digital on-boarding facility, live tracking so that people can be aware about arrival timing of the buses.
While speaking on the occasion, the LG said that it is a happy moment for Srinagar as 75 e-buses have been launched, which will ensure zero emission on the ground.
He added that more 25 such buses will be plying on the roads in the next few days, adding that Srinagar Smart City has taken an appreciable step by launching such buses here while the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has played a key role in making such a step successful.
The Lt Governor further added that India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a lead to reduce the carbon footprint as the existing vehicles have badly impacted the ecology and increased the pollution as well.
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In this regard, a bold decision to come up with e-buses was taken by PM Modi and thus Rs 100 crore capex has been spent on such buses while 66 crore out of it is being given by the Government of India.
Also, in 12 years, Rs 900-Rs950 crore is being spent on the maintenance and other things and 50 percent out of it is being supported by GoI, he said.
E-buses will be plying on 15 intra-city routes and 2 inter-city routes and will be running a minimum of 200 KM per day from 8 AM to 8 PM.
There are two types of electric buses which include 75 nine meter buses and 25 are 12 meter buses. These electric buses will ensure zero emission and the driver will have all the control on the vehicles like doors and other things.
The officials had earlier stated that these buses are more similar to those in London buses and the idea is that the buses will run for next 12 years. The contract for the first 12 years has been given to Tata Company and a proper route planning has been done in this regard.
Notably, the trial run of six such buses was done in August this year. KNO
