The Himachal Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, is committed to developing sufficient charging infrastructure in and around Shimla to support the operation of electric buses and transform it into a “Green City.”
The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has initiated the process of establishing five new charging stations for the 70 electric buses operating in Shimla.
HRTC has deposited Rs 3.63 crore with the state electricity board for the installation of transformers at these charging stations. Additionally, the HRTC has released tenders for the procurement of 75 new electric buses.
CM Sukhu emphasized that the existing fleet of over 1,500 buses in HRTC will be gradually replaced with electric buses, necessitating the development of adequate charging infrastructure.
The new charging points will be located at Taradevi, Tutikandi Crossing, Lalpani, Junga, and Theog, within a 40 km radius of Shimla city. Furthermore, the capacity of the charging station at Dhalli, currently at 1,000 KVA, will be increased to 2,000 KVA. The electricity board will provide transformers for all the charging stations, and e-bus chargers will be installed.
Under the Smart City Mission, Shimla City has already received 20 electric buses, increasing the fleet size from 50 to 70. These buses have been distributed with six serving New Shimla and Sanjauli sectors, and eight allocated to the bus stand sector.
As all 70 electric buses operate on local routes within the city, this transformation of the public transport system will contribute to maintaining Shimla’s pristine environment, keeping it clean and free from pollution.
