The authorities in Kargil have introduced the first batch of four electric buses, signifying a major step in their efforts to make Ladakh a carbon-neutral Union Territory and develop Leh and Kargil as smart cities. These electric buses, provided by SIDCO Transport, Ladakh, are 100% zero-emission vehicles aimed at reducing carbon emissions and improving public transportation in the region.
One of the electric buses will travel in a circular route, encompassing Kargil town and including the new district hospital. Another bus will make three daily trips between Kargil and Sankoo. The third e-bus will operate from Kargil to Drass and then return, while the fourth e-bus will commute daily from Kargil to Leh.
During the inaugural event, the Chairman and Chief Executive Councilor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil, Feroz Ahmad Khan, emphasized the objective of these electric vehicles to promote carbon neutrality in Ladakh and enhance transportation facilities for local commuters.
The e-buses were flagged off by Khan and Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, along with the presence of senior officers, including commissioner secretary Ajeet Kumar Sahu and Kargil deputy commissioner Santosh Sukhadeve. They also took a trial ride in one of the e-buses, experiencing its environment-friendly features.
Khan highlighted that electric buses will not only reduce carbon emissions but also improve public transportation in the area, as there are charging points available at several locations to meet public demands. Namgyal expressed his belief that these buses will play a crucial role in transforming Ladakh into a carbon-neutral UT and further develop Kargil and Leh as smart cities.
Ajeet Kumar Sahu, the transport department official, asserted that they have been working to enhance the public transport system in Kargil, and the addition of electric buses is a significant step towards achieving that goal. He also instructed the concerned department to set specific timings for all buses on different routes.
