Government Aims To Make HRTC Self-Reliant In Five Years
ECONOMY & POLICY

Government Aims To Make HRTC Self-Reliant In Five Years

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the state government has set a target of making the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) self-reliant within five years as it expands its electric bus fleet and shifts to cleaner public transport.

He virtually flagged off 25 Type-I electric bus services for Mandi district from Paddal Ground in Mandi, saying the move is aimed at promoting environment-friendly public transportation and cutting dependence on conventional fuel.

The government has procured 297 Type-I electric buses, which are operating in areas including Shimla, Nahan and Nagrota. Charging infrastructure has been developed in Kullu, Mandi and Sundernagar, with services in those areas starting today, and officials said operational performance has been encouraging.

Type-I buses are designed for a driving range of around 180 kilometres at 80 per cent State of Charge and have shown resilience on hilly routes. Sukhu cited the Shimla?Chandigarh route where an electric bus covered around 270 kilometres on a single charge, indicating suitability for long-distance inter-city services in challenging terrain.

The Chief Minister said the shift to electric buses is delivering financial benefits by saving around Rs 12-13 per kilometre in energy costs compared with diesel buses, which should reduce fuel and operational expenditure and improve efficiency. He noted that the state provides buses to HRTC and gives the corporation an annual grant-in-aid of Rs 8.4 bn, and that HRTC generates a similar amount through its own resources.

As part of a longer term plan, the administration intends to procure another 1,000 electric buses and 200 hydrogen-powered buses to broaden clean energy use in public transport. The expansion was framed as a step towards a Green Himachal, and senior officials and local dignitaries participated in the launch virtually and in person.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the state government has set a target of making the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) self-reliant within five years as it expands its electric bus fleet and shifts to cleaner public transport. He virtually flagged off 25 Type-I electric bus services for Mandi district from Paddal Ground in Mandi, saying the move is aimed at promoting environment-friendly public transportation and cutting dependence on conventional fuel. The government has procured 297 Type-I electric buses, which are operating in areas including Shimla, Nahan and Nagrota. Charging infrastructure has been developed in Kullu, Mandi and Sundernagar, with services in those areas starting today, and officials said operational performance has been encouraging. Type-I buses are designed for a driving range of around 180 kilometres at 80 per cent State of Charge and have shown resilience on hilly routes. Sukhu cited the Shimla?Chandigarh route where an electric bus covered around 270 kilometres on a single charge, indicating suitability for long-distance inter-city services in challenging terrain. The Chief Minister said the shift to electric buses is delivering financial benefits by saving around Rs 12-13 per kilometre in energy costs compared with diesel buses, which should reduce fuel and operational expenditure and improve efficiency. He noted that the state provides buses to HRTC and gives the corporation an annual grant-in-aid of Rs 8.4 bn, and that HRTC generates a similar amount through its own resources. As part of a longer term plan, the administration intends to procure another 1,000 electric buses and 200 hydrogen-powered buses to broaden clean energy use in public transport. The expansion was framed as a step towards a Green Himachal, and senior officials and local dignitaries participated in the launch virtually and in person.

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