HRTC to add 327 electric buses to fleet, services to begin soon; e-charging stations to be set up at 53 locations

Shimla (The Uttam Hindu): Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) is set to strengthen its fleet with the induction of electric buses, with 297 e-buses expected to start arriving by the last week of this month or in January. Ahead of their arrival, preparations for the required infrastructure are underway, and instructions have been issued to establish charging stations. HRTC Managing Director Dr Nipun Jindal has directed all Regional Managers and Divisional Managers to begin work at the earliest. Field reports indicate that charging station installation has already started at most locations.

Company officials are scheduled to visit Himachal Pradesh next week to inspect the status of the charging stations. A total of 53 locations across the state have been identified for setting up e-charging stations. HRTC plans to procure 327 electric buses in total, with 297 buses included in the first phase. The remaining buses will be inducted into the fleet in the next phase.

According to HRTC management, charging station installation work is nearly complete at several locations, including Shimla local workshop, Theog, Nurpur, Dharamshala, Palampur, Hamirpur, Nadaun, Una, Bilaspur, Mandi, Arki, Nalagarh, Nahan, Kullu, Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti, and Kinnaur.

At a few remaining locations, instructions have been issued to complete the pending work at the earliest. The installation of electrical transformers for the charging stations is being handled by the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board, while the civil works responsibility has been assigned to the Himachal Pradesh Bus Stand Management Authority.