The Karnataka Cupboard accepted an ‘electrical bus programme’ that will enable state transport firms to introduce 4,000 automobiles to their fleets, Minister for Regulation and Tourism HK Patil mentioned on Friday.
The programme allows the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Company (BMTC), Karnataka State Highway Transport Company (KSRTC), and Kalyana Karnataka Highway Transport Company (KKRTC) to acquire the buses with assistance from a low-interest ₹3,000-crore mortgage from the World Financial institution.
This approval formalises the Preliminary Venture Report (PPR) submitted by way of the Division of Financial Affairs (DEA) portal in collaboration with the World Financial institution. The initiative goals to cut back air air pollution, ease site visitors congestion, and supply commuters with a cleaner and extra fashionable mode of transport.
BMTC was among the many first public transport firms within the nation to introduce electrical buses, starting with a pilot of 10 buses in Bengaluru in 2017 below the FAME-I (Quicker Adoption and Manufacturing of Electrical Automobiles) scheme. The brand new programme is meant to considerably broaden the electrical bus fleet to satisfy rising demand and deal with environmental issues.
At current, BMTC operates roughly 1,027 electrical buses in Bengaluru. Of those, TML Good Metropolis Mobility Options Restricted, a subsidiary of Tata Motors manufactured 637 twelve-metre-long buses at its Dharwad plant. These have been launched below the FAME-II scheme.
BMTC additionally operates 300 twelve-metre electrical buses manufactured by Change Mobility, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, and 90 nine-metre electrical buses produced by JBM Group below the Good Cities Mission. All these buses are non-air-conditioned and are operated below the Gross Price Contract (GCC) mannequin, the place the producer is answerable for offering the driving crew and upkeep.
In the meantime, KSRTC operates round 350 electrical buses, together with 50 inducted in 2023 below the FAME-II scheme for routes connecting Bengaluru and Mysuru. The company plans so as to add an additional 300 electrical buses by mid-2025.
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