Vinod Chandra
shekhar Dixit
Kudos to the Jammu and Kashmir government for its all set to launch a fleet of 200 electric buses equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a real-time tracking system, in both capital cities of the union territory. It is reported that by 2030, 80% of two and three-wheelers, 40% of buses, and 30 to 70% of cars in India will be electric vehicles and as the nation gears towards its ‘Zero-emission' 2070 dream, funds and focus are directed towards electric mobility. India's largest commercial vehicle manufacturer Tata Motors announced that it has won the tender of 200 electric buses floated by Jammu Smart City Limited, for Jammu and Srinagar. For the deployment of the 200 electric buses, Tata Motors has entered into a strategic collaboration in the twin capital cities of the Jammu and Kashmir regions. The electric buses bring with them a wide range of advantages, where the most important one is a reduction of air pollution levels. With a major model shift towards clean public transport, the citizens of Jammu and Srinagar need a green mobility solution. These buses provide a unique set of benefits to the organizations purchasing them, the communities they drive through, the environment around them and the electric utilities that power them. Electric buses are safe, reliable and have similar rates of downtime to other technologies and is much quieter than a diesel bus, giving travellers a more pleasant experience and significantly reducing the environmental noise. This will help in decreasing greenhouse gas build up that causes detrimental issues like global warming and air pollution, making our environment cleaner and healthier.
It is a nice initiative that 100 eco-friendly buses are going to introduce each in Jammu and Srinagar is aimed at reducing air and noise pollution and dependence on fossil fuels, as well as to provide better facilities to the people. No doubt, in order to bring down the vehicular pollution and provide convenient mode of public transport, JKRTC had already procured 40 electric buses in 2019 from India's leading commercial vehicle manufacturer Tata Motors under Faster Adoption and Manufacturing Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme of central government. It is nice that the government gives Rs 15,000 per kw as subsidy. Earlier the subsidy was Rs 10,000 per kw, which was later raised to Rs15,000 per kw.
People often associate public transportation with crowded spaces, bumpy rides, and noisy environments. This contributes to the low adoption rates, which were already in decline before the pandemic and continue to be low compared to private car usage. Electric buses have a promising future, and the benefits they bring to all involved will further encourage their success.
Asserting that establishment of e-bus services is very crucial project, it will play a big role towards adopting a clean mode of transport. Electric buses are highly efficient and have lower operating costs than diesel buses. Fuel savings can be significant when comparing electricity with diesel, and the buses also have fewer moving parts and maintenance needs. It will not only be a medium to commute, but will also be an enabler towards creating an eco-friendly Jammu & Kashmir.
dixitpatrakar@yahoo.in
