Port Blair: As many as 25 air-conditioned zero tailpipe emission e-buses have been commissioned in Andaman, following the Government of India’s vision of moving towards electric vehicles from the existing fossil fuel vehicles.
To achieve this goal, the Transport Department of A & N Islands had earlier placed orders for deployment of 40 air-conditioned zero tailpipe emission e-buses by signing an agreement with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd.
As part of the agreement, till now the Department has received 25 AC buses out of total 40.
These buses are fitted with GPS based vehicle tracking system with panic buttons, security cameras for the safety of commuters especially women & children and mobile phone charging ports for all the seats.
Passenger Information System is provided in the buses which will not only facilitate the waiting commuters to know about the destinations of the bus but at the same time inform the travelling passengers inside the bus about the forthcoming stoppages.
Travelling in these noiseless electric buses having air suspension will give the passengers a luxury travel experience.
The remaining buses are expected to reach Port Blair shortly, sources in Andaman’s Transport Department confirmed.
With the induction of these electric buses, it is anticipated that not only the general public will get an improved noiseless public transport having zero tailpipe emission for their mobility but also motivate the personal vehicle users to opt for public transport.
The Lt Governor, A&N Islands & Vice Chairman, Islands Development Agency, Admiral DK Joshi, (Retd.) flagged off the newly arrived air-conditioned buses from Netaji Stadium here on Jan. 26 in the presence of the Member of Parliament, Mr Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Mr Chetan B. Sanghi and other senior Officers of A&N Administration. (UNI)