CM Sukhu on Thursday flagged off 297 new electric buses from Kyarighat in Solan district for deployment across HRTC depots, taking the corporation’s electric bus fleet to 500. He also announced the procurement of 1,000 additional electric buses and 100 hydrogen-powered buses to promote green mobility in Himachal Pradesh.
The Chief Minister also launched the HimBus Plus Card, offering a digital and cashless travel facility with a five per cent fare discount for regular passengers, 15 per cent concession for senior citizens and cashback benefits of up to Rs 2,000 per month.
Sukhu said the new electric buses would provide safe, comfortable and pollution-free travel while reducing fuel dependency, carbon emissions and operational costs. He said the cost of running an electric bus is around Rs 36-38 per kilometre compared to Rs 76-86 per kilometre for diesel buses, helping HRTC move towards financial sustainability.
He said the government’s focus on electric mobility was aimed at making Himachal Pradesh a green energy state. The Chief Minister added that charging infrastructure had been strengthened across depots and future electric buses would offer improved travel range.
Sukhu reiterated the government’s commitment to making Himachal Pradesh self-reliant by 2027 and highlighted steps taken to safeguard state resources and improve financial stability. He also said the government was pursuing pending BBMB dues and other revenue claims in the interest of the people of the state.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
