Mumbaikars Receive An Eco-Gift In The Form Of 25 Hybrid Electric Buses

New Delhi: How about travelling in a bus that do not contribute to the ever rising air pollution, can ensure a smooth ride, and boasts features like WiFi, LED display and charging facility? Wondering if this is even possible? For Mumbaikars, this kind of a bus actually came into existence on Friday when Union Minister for Heavy Industries Anant G. Geete and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched Hybrid Electric Buses. The newly launched buses have been granted under the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan-2020.

Elated, Chief Minister Fadnavis took to social media and shared the news. He said, “One more, but an ‘ecoGift’ for Mumbaikars, as a step towards reducing pollution in Mumbai! Launched 25 hybrid buses by MMRDA with Union Minister @AnantGeeteSS ji. Our sincere thanks to Union Government for approving these buses under National Electric Mobility Mission Plan 2020.”

One more, but an ‘ecoGift’ for Mumbaikars,as a step towards reducing pollution in Mumbai!
Launched 25 hybrid buses by MMRDA with Union Minister @AnantGeeteSS ji.
Our sincere thanks to Union Government for approving these buses under National Electric Mobility Mission Plan 2020. pic.twitter.com/XMmMouvjyD

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) March 16, 2018

Also Read: Can Electric Cars Replace Fossil Fuel Cars And Be The Future Of India?

Further sharing the details of the route these buses will ply on and its features, Chief Minister Fadnavis said, “These buses would run between Borivali, Thane, Mulund, Kharghar and Sion stations to and from Bandra Kurla Complex to reduce pressure on other public transports, that too with ease and comfortable. People can even work while traveling as these buses have WiFi, LED display, charging facilities.”

These buses would run between Borivali, Thane, Mulund, Kharghar and Sion stations to and from BKC to reduce pressure on other public transports,that too with ease & comfortable.
People can even work while traveling as these buses have WiFi, LED display, charging facilities. pic.twitter.com/iALSwFriqO

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) March 16, 2018

The advantages of the newly launched Hybrid Electric Buses are not only limited to this, but have a lot more to offer. These buses will aid in solving one of the major problems that is pollution. The city will be able to reduce 40 per cent pollution, thanks to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

One of the greatest advantages is that we would be able to reduce 40% pollution because of hybrid buses.
On one hand MMRDA is building huge infrastructure but we equally need to improve public transport and our efforts are in that direction. pic.twitter.com/fYqJJQpM7i

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) March 16, 2018

Dropping hints that government has a lot in store for Mumbaikars, Chief Minister Fadnavis shared the plan to run all the buses on electricity. The Minister told that a charging policy has been finalised and the government will assist Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) to bring in more eco-friendly buses.

As a part of our hard work and continuous efforts to run all the buses on electric mobility mode , we have finalised a charging policy which will make that possible.
We will also assist BEST to bring more such environment friendly buses on Mumbai roads ! pic.twitter.com/wwV6eEL5tk

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) March 16, 2018

This is not the first time that eco-friendly buses have been launched in Mumbai. Earlier in January, BEST purchased six battery operated buses for ₹10 crore. The buses function on lithium-ion iron phosphate batteries that require three hours to be fully charged. With the passenger seating capacity of 30, these buses possess features like forced ventilation, charging point, and enough room for leg space for commuters.

Also Read: To Combat Air Pollution, Mumbai To Welcome Eco-Friendly Public Transport Buses