+
Bengal Plans 350 CNG, 25 Electric Buses for Green Fleet
ECONOMY & POLICY

Bengal Plans 350 CNG, 25 Electric Buses for Green Fleet

In a major push towards sustainable urban transport, the West Bengal Transport Department is preparing to procure around 350 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, a senior official confirmed. Additionally, a proposal to acquire 25 electric buses is currently under consideration by the relevant authorities.
Rejecting claims of phasing out electric buses due to high maintenance costs and limited battery life, the official clarified that the state remains committed to maintaining a balanced approach between both green alternatives.
“There is no such plan to discontinue electric buses. On the contrary, we aim to expand both CNG and EV fleets simultaneously,” the official told PTI. The procurement process for the CNG buses is in various stages, while the proposal for the electric buses is pending approval.
At present, 80 electric buses operate across various depots in both northern and southern parts of the state. Each of these buses is powered by three batteries, each costing Rs 1.8 million. A fully charged bus can travel between 100 and 110 kilometres. However, any battery failure renders the bus inoperative.
While CNG buses won’t face battery-related downtimes, the department acknowledges the need to increase the number of dedicated CNG fuelling stations to support the expansion.
“We want to strike a balance between both CNG and electric buses,” the official reiterated.
Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty was unavailable for comment on the development.

In a major push towards sustainable urban transport, the West Bengal Transport Department is preparing to procure around 350 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, a senior official confirmed. Additionally, a proposal to acquire 25 electric buses is currently under consideration by the relevant authorities.Rejecting claims of phasing out electric buses due to high maintenance costs and limited battery life, the official clarified that the state remains committed to maintaining a balanced approach between both green alternatives.“There is no such plan to discontinue electric buses. On the contrary, we aim to expand both CNG and EV fleets simultaneously,” the official told PTI. The procurement process for the CNG buses is in various stages, while the proposal for the electric buses is pending approval.At present, 80 electric buses operate across various depots in both northern and southern parts of the state. Each of these buses is powered by three batteries, each costing Rs 1.8 million. A fully charged bus can travel between 100 and 110 kilometres. However, any battery failure renders the bus inoperative.While CNG buses won’t face battery-related downtimes, the department acknowledges the need to increase the number of dedicated CNG fuelling stations to support the expansion.“We want to strike a balance between both CNG and electric buses,” the official reiterated.Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty was unavailable for comment on the development.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Companies in GIFT City IFSC Cross 400 Mark

As of July 31, 2025, a total of 409 companies are operating in the Gujarat International Finance Tec City – International Financial Services Centre (GIFT IFSC), Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed Parliament.In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, she highlighted that the number of firms in GIFT IFSC has grown nearly fivefold in less than five years — from 82 on October 1, 2020, to 409 by July 2025.The centre now hosts a wide range of entities, including those in banking, asset management, and allied services, alongside other financial segments.To support GIFT IFSC’s growth, the go..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

GMDA to Prepare Fresh DPR for Naurangpur Sewage Treatment Plant

The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) will prepare a fresh detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed 40 million litres per day (MLD) sewage treatment plant (STP) at Naurangpur. The move comes after it was found that a high-tension power line and a 24-metre-wide road pass through the site allocated for the project, requiring a revised plan.According to officials, the original 3.65-acre land parcel transferred from the Municipal Corporation of Manesar (MCM) was reduced to 2.89 acres following the road development. The presence of the power line further divided the land into..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

PM Inaugurates Bihar Highway and New Ganga Bridge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a key highway project on Friday, connecting Aunta (Mokama) and Simaria (Begusarai), featuring a newly built 1.865-km bridge across the Ganga.The project establishes direct road connectivity between Mokama in Patna district and Begusarai. The bridge has been constructed parallel to the old two-lane rail-cum-road Rajendra Setu, which is currently under repair and restricts heavy vehicle movement.The new bridge will allow heavy vehicles to avoid a detour of nearly 100 km while travelling between north Bihar districts such as Begusarai, Supaul, Madhuban..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?