Gurugram plans to induct 100 e-minibuses in fleet

Gurugram: The Gurugram Metropolitan City Bus Limited (GMCBL) is planning to induct about 100 electric minibuses in its fleet. The electric buses will operate from a proposed depot located in Sector 48 on five routes.

These routes are yet to be identified. Multiple charging stations for the buses will be set up at the depot and two other hubs along the routes.

There is a proposal to provide one slow-charging unit for every electric bus and one fast-charging station for 10 electric buses. This project according to officials is open to private as well as public players.

Taking cognisance of the increased vehicular pollution there Gurugram administration to invest more in electric vehicles to an extent of even making their mode of transportation through electric

cars.

According to sources, there are also plans to bring in 100 electric buses that will be used for public transportation purposes.

All of these plans are being formulated at a time when a large number of diesel vehicles can be still seen plying on city roads. Diesel autos are believed to be the major source of pollution in the city. The 500 electric rickshaws which areas of the present on city roads seem to be far less to accommodate the commuters.

At present, GMCBL is running 81 non-AC low-floor CNG buses on seven routes daily. The authority is planning to have a 500-strong bus fleet and 25 routes in the city.

In the first phase, a total of 200 buses are to be inducted on 11 routes. GMCBL CEO Chandrashekhar Khare said the Union government has called for proposals from state transport departments for the deployment of 5,000 electric buses, to be supported under the FAME scheme.

"We are sending a proposal for 100 electric buses under the scheme," Khare said, adding that the selected cities will be offered a subsidy of 40% on cost, or up to Rs 55 lakh for each standard bus of 10 metres.