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Thursday, 3 March 2016

E-Buses, Cars to Ply on Hyderabad Roads

 

Published: 15th December 2015 03:25 AM
Last Updated: 15th December 2015 03:38 AM
HYDERABAD:  Will Hyderabadis be finally able to breathe fresh air? Will we be able to get rid of those dirty buses and badly maintained trucks spewing thick black fumes that choke the city roads? Well, the report of the World Health Organisation (WHO) that revealed the high pollution levels in Indian cities has served as an eye-opener for the government. Soon, electric buses, cars and non-polluting auto-rickshaws will crisscross the city roads.
The Telangana State government is expected to place orders for for around 20 electric buses and 10 to 20 e-cars under the FAME India scheme, which will promote environment friendly road transport system in major cities across the country.
Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India (FAME-India) aims to bring down pollution levels in the cities. The Central government has proposed to provide Rs 795 crore to promote electric vehicles in the cities during the first two fiscals from this year.
Transport department principal secretary Sunil Sharma, who recently attended a meeting conducted by the Union government in Delhi, said the state will partner with the Union government to implement the scheme. “The state government will send a detailed proposal to ply electric vehicles in a week’s time,” Sunil Sharma told Express on Monday.
While the operation cost for diesel and petrol vehicles is abourd Rs 10 to Rs 15 per kilometre, electric-powered vehicles can ply at an expense of 20 paise to 80 paise per kilometre. “I have suggested bus stations, cinema halls, parking slots, petrol bunks to provide charging facility  the electric vehicles,” Sunil Sharma said.
Already, there is a five year motor vehicle tax exemption in the state for electric vehicles. The Central government has suggested the States to give VAT exemption too.

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