Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday flagged off 297 new Type-I electric buses from Kyarighat in Solan district for deployment across various depots of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), marking a significant milestone in public transportation in Himachal Pradesh.
The induction of these electric buses will not only enhance commuter convenience but also represent a major step towards establishing a clean, green, modern and sustainable public transport system. The Chief Minister also launched the HimBus Plus Card, another significant initiative aimed at promoting digital and smart public transportation in the state.
The Chief Minister said these state-of-the-art electric buses would provide passengers with a safe, comfortable and pollution-free travel experience. Their operation would reduce dependence on fossil fuels, significantly lower carbon emissions, decrease operational costs and strengthen the financial position of HRTC.
The state government has developed modern charging infrastructure at various bus depots to ensure the seamless operation of these buses and has put in place all necessary arrangements to promote e-mobility across the state.
Sukhu reiterated the state government's commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development. He said the objective was not only to provide better transportation facilities but also to ensure a clean Himalaya, clean air and a healthy environment for future generations. The expansion of the electric bus fleet reflects the government's long-term vision in this direction.
Highlighting the benefits of the HimBus Plus Card, the Chief Minister said it would offer passengers a modern, digital and cashless travel experience. Regular passengers would receive a five per cent discount on bus fares, while senior citizens would be entitled to a 15 per cent concession. In addition, passengers would be eligible for cashback of up to Rs 2,000 per month, depending on their usage of HRTC services.
Later, interacting with mediapersons, the Chief Minister said that with the induction of these 297 buses, the total number of electric buses in the HRTC fleet had reached 500. He pointed out that electric buses were considerably more economical than diesel buses. The operational cost of an electric bus, including staff and other expenses, was approximately Rs 36-38 per kilometre, compared to Rs 76-86 per kilometre for a diesel bus. With the addition of these buses to the fleet, HRTC is expected to save Rs 40-50 per kilometre. He added that the present state government was working towards making HRTC financially self-reliant.
The Chief Minister announced that the state government would procure 1,000 additional electric buses during the current year, with the tendering process set to begin shortly. The government is also considering the procurement of 100 hydrogen-powered buses to protect the state's natural environment from the adverse impacts of climate change and position Himachal Pradesh as a leading green energy state in the country.
He said the government had envisioned making Himachal Pradesh a green energy state in its very first budget and had accordingly prioritised the promotion of electric mobility. He noted that the current electric buses have a range of around 200 km on a single charge, while the next generation of buses would be capable of travelling 250-300 km per charge. These buses are being procured as part of the government's broader strategy to make HRTC self-sustaining.
The Chief Minister also stated that during the previous BJP government's tenure, HRTC employees and pensioners often faced delays of up to two months in receiving salaries and pensions. He said the present government had ensured their timely disbursement.
He said the state government was working with a vision to make Himachal Pradesh a self-reliant state by 2027. Referring to financial matters, he alleged that the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), which Himachal Pradesh had been receiving from the Centre for decades, was discontinued following the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission. According to him, this decision had adversely affected the interests of the people of the state. He maintained that despite these challenges, the present government had closed avenues of corruption and was steadily working towards achieving financial self-reliance.
The Chief Minister also criticised the previous government for failing to adequately safeguard the state's assets and claimed that the present government had taken decisive steps to protect public resources. He said the government had secured Rs 421 crore from the Wildflower Hall hotel and Rs 150 crore from JSW. He further stated that the Kishau hydroelectric project was expected to generate Rs 1,000 crore in revenue for the state.
Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh had made it clear that the Haryana government must release BBMB arrears pending since 2011 before the state signs the agreement on the Kishau project. He asserted that despite favourable legal decisions, the arrears had not yet been released by the neighbouring states and reaffirmed the government's commitment to securing what he described as the rightful dues of the people of Himachal Pradesh.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, MLAs Hardeep Bawa and Kuldeep Rathore, Congress leader Shiv Kumar, Chief Minister's Advisor (Infrastructure) Anil Kapil, Additional Chief Secretary Onkar Chand Sharma, HRTC Managing Director Dr Nipun Jindal, Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap, Solan Deputy Commissioner Manmohan Sharma and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
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