Vadodara

Gujarat government will invite global tenders for purchasing six electric buses, to ply between Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad, under its pilot project which is aimed at supporting the cause of “greener” environment.

“Gujarat government will be the first in the country to introduce a pilot project to run a bus service comprising a fleet of six electric buses for public transport as part of its efforts to ensure a cleaner and greener environment,” state Transport Minister Vijay Rupani said here today.

He said the project will take off next year.

Rupani was speaking on the sidelines of a seminar on “Industrial Safety and Fire and Disaster Management Summit” which he inaugurated here.

The two-day event is organised jointly by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and state government.

He said the global tenders will be invited given the high price tag associated with Volvo electric buses.

Rupani also underlined the need to tap alternate sources of energy for transport which he said would save foreign exchange and cut down pollution.

The Minister said the government was implementing the project as Gujarat is a “power surplus” state.

“The pilot project will be handled by the Gujarat Power Corporation Limited (GPCL) in collaboration with State Transport Corporation (GSRTC).

“(Under the project) solar-powered charging stations will be set up at central bus station in Gandhinagar for charging the electric buses,” Rupani said.

PTI