CHANDIGARH, Dec 16 — Commuters in Chandigarh now have 15 new electric buses at their disposal, part of the city’s plan to achieve one of the highest zero-emission vehicle adoption rates in India by 2027, officials said. The buses are the first tranche of 25 under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme, with the remaining 10 expected next week.
“These buses are built with passenger convenience in mind,” said a transport department official. “Voice announcements, stop-request buttons, and easy boarding ramps make travel accessible for all, including senior citizens and wheelchair users.”
Each low-floor, air-conditioned bus can travel about 224 km on a single charge. With seating for 36 passengers, standing space for 20, and a designated wheelchair area, the buses are equipped with power-operated ramps and an electronically controlled kneeling mechanism.
Safety features include cameras at all passenger doors to monitor boarding, four additional CCTVs covering the passenger saloon and driver, GPS devices, and panic buttons. Passenger information displays are installed at the front, sides, and rear.
Chandigarh Transport Undertaking officials said 100 electric buses have been approved under the scheme, with 25 more expected by January and the final 50 by late February or early March. The rollout follows the retirement of 85 diesel buses on Nov. 19, which had completed their 15-year operational lifespan.
In a major boost to Chandigarh’s clean mobility push, the Centre has approved 328 additional electric buses, bringing the total sanctioned fleet to 428. Officials said the expansion is a key step toward the city’s goal of becoming carbon-free.
