City transport in Uttar Pradesh will get a boost in nine cities including Lucknow with electric buses ferrying commuters in days to come. Under PPP model, the directorate of urban transport has selected private firms which will deliver and maintain 630 electric buses in nine cities. Lucknow, Kanpur, Allahabad, Agra and Ghaziabad will get 100 buses each. Varanasi and Mathura-Vrindavan will get 50 buses each. Gorakhpur will get 20 and Shahjahanpur will get ten electric buses.
The project will cost about Rs 800Cr which includes cost of buses and construction of depots with charging shed, parking shed and a power sub-station. Land has been identified in nine cities for constructing the needed facilities. Construction might take at least six months after which the buses will start operation.
As many as 40 electric buses have reached Lucknow. At least ten electric buses are already plying as city buses. A charging facility has been provided at Alambagh depot for the buses in operation.
