Odisha Planning Electric Buses to Curb Pollution

In a bid to promote clean and green energy, and check pollution, Odisha government will soon introduce electric-powered buses in its three cities. Odisha’s science & technology minister Ashok Chandra Panda said electric buses will ply in the temple town of Puri and the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack in the first phase.

Panda said that the state government is planning to phase out the conventional transport system with the help of electric buses. These e-buses are going to operate within the radius of 100 km covering the cities of Puri, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. “We are planning to phase out the conventional transport system through the electric buses. These new electric buses will operate within 100 km radius covering Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri,” Panda said.

Odisha government has been planning to introduce electric buses in phases in a bid to curb air pollution in urban areas in the state, the assembly was informed.

The Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) is planning to induct electric buses in its fleet as part of the upgradation plan.

Panda also informed the state Assembly that a memorandum of understanding will be signed soon regarding the proposal.

The state’s move is in sync with the centre’s push for electric buses with which the country plans to curb its dependence on fossil fuels and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

The announcement of a reduction in the GST slab, along with incentives on taxes on the loan paid on the purchase of electric vehicles is part of the 2019 budget which was presented in Parliament recently.

Along with this, incentives for commercial three and four-wheelers are being provided under the Rs 10,000 crore FAME II scheme. These extend to two-wheelers for personal use as well. However, currently, there are no incentives for people purchasing electric PVs.