A proposal for the development of e-charging stations at 53 locations across the state of Himichal Pradesh has been approved.
The proposal, which was submitted by the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), will see the stations installed to facilitate the operation of 237 electric buses.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri has pledged a budget of 20 million RS for the project, which has been sanctioned by the State Government. Financial assistance of 110.95 million RS will also be received from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
90 sites were surveyed for their potential use within the project, of which 46 have now been finalised.
Initially; charging stations will be set up at 34 locations including Shimla Local, Theog Bus Stand, Nurpur, Fatehpur, Dharamshala, Palampur, Baijnath, Hamirpur, Hamirpur Bus Stand, Nadaun Bus Stand, new Electric Depot Nadaun, Una, Bangana, Amb, Bilaspur, Ghumarwin, Sundernagar, Jogindernagar, Mandi, Arki, Parwanoo, Nalagarh, Nahan, Paonta Sahib, Shree Renukaji, Kullu, Manali, Chamba, Bharmour, Dalhousie, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Reckong Peo and Keylong.
The installation of the electrical transformers necessary for the charging stations will be handled by Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited, while the civil works will be handled by the Himachal Pradesh Bus Stands Management & Development Authority (HP BSM&DA).
Delivery of the project is set to be executed across two phases to ensure all necessary work has been completed before the arrival of the first fleet of e-buses.
