132 seat bus(132 seat )

New Delhi: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari is continuously working on a plan to promote India as a manufacturing hub of electric vehicles. Gadkari has always focused on affordable public transport. A pilot project will also start soon in Nagpur with the aim of making public transport less expensive and comfortable. Gadkari said on Tuesday that 3 interconnected units and tram-like electric buses with 132 seat  (132 seat ) capacity are to be trialed on Nagpur’s ring road.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said these things at NDTV’s Infrashakti Awards organized to celebrate the pace of infrastructure. During a discussion with NDTV Editor-in-Chief Sanjay Pugalia, Nitin Gadkari said, “The tram-like electric buses can be charged wirelessly within a minute. Like a flight, 132 people can sit together in them. These buses will be fully air-conditioned. There will also be hostesses for the convenience of the passengers traveling in it. Like in a flight. During the journey, you will get packaged food, bottled water. Along with this, such buses will also have facilities like CCTV and laptop holder.” Electric buses will be made in collaboration with Skoda and Tata Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said that soon electric buses like trams will run on Indian roads. These are being developed in collaboration with Skoda and Tata. Gadkari said that the ticket rates of these buses will be up to 30% less than diesel buses. An agreement on this will be finalized soon with the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. Gadkari believes that the city will be able to recover the investment made in this project within 3 years.

Gadkari says, “My calculation is that the cost of running such buses will be 30% less than diesel buses. If we use solar energy, the cost will be even less.”

Now the more the journey, the more the toll
Gadkari has made a big announcement regarding toll tax during this time. Gadkari said, “Now the more the journey, the more the toll will have to be paid. The first phase of GPS and satellite based toll system will start in 3 months. Later it will be implemented in the entire country.”

Pollution is the biggest problem
Nitin Gadkari said, “The biggest problem right now is pollution. Air pollution, water pollution and noise pollution. Our first step will be to reduce these pollution and remove it. Talking about Delhi, more and more electric buses will be run to reduce pollution. This will also be cost effective. We are also promoting electric taxis.”

Ethanol will reduce pollution and also save money
The Union Minister said, “Indian oil companies are setting up 300 ethanol pumps. Automobile companies are bringing flex vehicles. So instead of filling petrol at Rs 120 per liter, it is better to use ethanol at Rs 60 per liter now. Vehicles run on 60% electricity and 40% ethanol. This will also reduce pollution.” Let us tell you that ethanol is being considered as an option to run electric vehicles, which will replace electricity from the grid and will also eliminate the need for plugin systems to recharge lithium batteries.

Also working on reducing the cost of public transport
Gadkari said that the government is also working on reducing the cost of public transport. The cost of running a diesel bus is Rs 115 per kilometer, while an AC electric bus runs for Rs 41. A non-AC bus runs for Rs 37 with subsidy. “Without subsidy, it will cost between Rs 50 and Rs 60. This will help reduce bus ticket prices by 15-20%,” he said.

Use of ethanol, methanol and CNG is economical
The Union minister said that the construction equipment manufactured by JCB uses 50% ethanol and 50% CNG. Tractor manufacturers are also working on machines that run on ethanol, methanol and CNG. “If we focus on ethanol, methanol and CNG instead of petrol and diesel, it will not only help reduce pollution but will also increase the income of farmers,” Gadkari stressed.