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Bagmati province to set up electric buses by mid-May

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Kathmandu: The provincial government has announced to operate electric buses by mid-May.

Chief Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Mr.Dormani Poudel said they are working to kick start the operation of electric buses in mid-May. A person should not depend on private service to provide services to people and will buy electric buses ourselves.

Mr.Kailash Prasad Dhungel, Minister of Economic Affairs and Planning of Bagmati Province, Mr.Vidya Sundar Shakya, Mayor of  Kathmandu Metropolis, Mr.Chiri Babu Maharjan, Mayor of Lalitpur Municipality, and Mr.Kanakmani Dikshit, Chairman of Sahaj Yata Cooperative, signed a four-party agreement in July last year to buy new electric buses. The government had also handed over Rs 300 million to purchase the electric buses.

Mr.Dipak Niraula, a member of Bagmati Province Assembly, said that they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with an agreement that the provincial government would also have a share in Sajha Yatayat. He is also the chairman of a committee formed to take initiative to operate electric buses. The provincial government is preparing to introduce bills for the establishment of corporations for the operation of the electric buses.

According to Niraula, efforts are being made to purchase 30 electric buses in the first phase of the project. The electric buses will operate in Kathmandu Valley- Kavre, Chitwan and Makwanpur in the first phase. The electric buses will be run along the Kathmandu-Narayangadh-Hetauda route as well. The provincial Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transportation is planning to set up charging stations in five places. The charging stations will be constructed between Hetauda, Chitwan, Kathmandu, Dhulikhel and one between Kathmandu and Muglin.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has announced to invest Rs 100 million to buy electric buses.

Source: TKP