The West Bengal government to launch electric buses in Calcutta to bring down air pollution

In order to reduce air pollution, the government of West Bengal plans to launch nearly 1,200 electric buses in Calcutta over the next two years, some of these will be operational by January 2023. The transport department also plans to introduce CNG-run buses in the northern and western parts of the state. An official of the West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) says - "The department will introduce 1,180 buses to be run by the West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) within the Calcutta municipal area over the next two years. Out of these, 400 buses will hit the streets by January next year.” Environmental activist Subhas Dutta described it as a "good start." He said that it is a positive step and added that the electric buses will definitely reduce carbon emission. Bengal to launch more electric, CNG buses to reduce air pollution. Right now, some electric buses operate in the eastern metropolis. These had been acquired under the capex (capital expenditure) model the WBTC procured the vehicles and has been operating these on its own.

An official of the WBTC mentioned that another 50 electric buses are being bought for Salt Lake and New Town areas adjoining Calcutta. Of these, 11 are already operational. He added that - "The new buses are being acquired under the opex (operating expenditure) model and an agency will provide the electric buses. The agency will be the owner of the vehicles. The length of some of the buses will be 12-metre, others will be eight-metre long. WBTC will pay the company on a kilometre-running basis. The firm will provide the buses and WBTC will provide the conductors. Two other state transport undertakings (STUs) will acquire the new CNG-run buses. These are the South Bengal State Transport Corporation and the North Bengal State Transport Corporation.

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