85 new electric buses are set to revolutionize public transportation, promoting eco-friendliness and sustainability in Dakshina Kannada district.
In an effort to promote eco-friendly transportation and reduce carbon emissions, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is gearing up to introduce 85 electric buses in Dakshina Kannada (DK) district.
Rajesh Shetty, senior divisional controller of KSRTC Mangaluru division, revealed that the state government has sanctioned 45 electric buses for Mangaluru division and 40 buses for Puttur division. The procurement process is underway, and the buses are expected to be operational soon.
The electric buses will ply on prominent routes within Dakshina Kannada district and inter-district destinations. They are anticipated to enhance connectivity while minimizing environmental impact.
Shetty further elaborated on the plans, stating that the electric buses will initially operate on routes such as Mangaluru-Dharmastala, Mangaluru-Manipal, and Mangaluru-Kasaragod, covering approximately 200 km on a single recharge cycle of about two hours. However, due to current limitations, long-distance routes like Bengaluru and Mysuru may not be feasible for electric buses.
Charging stations will be established at various depots to support the electric bus infrastructure. Shetty mentioned that a station with five charging points will be set up at the Mangaluru depot in Bejai, while another station with 15 points will be located at Kuntikana.
Moreover, Dakshina Kannada district has been selected under the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme, with an allocation of 100 additional electric buses expected to arrive next year. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to promoting sustainable transportation solutions.
Jayakar Shetty, KSRTC Puttur divisional controller, highlighted that the 40 electric buses allocated to the division will operate on routes such as Subrahmanya-Dharmastala and Dharmastala-Mangaluru, further expanding the reach of eco-friendly public transportation in the region.
With the imminent arrival of electric buses and the ongoing efforts to establish charging infrastructure, Dakshina Kannada district is poised to embrace a greener and more sustainable future in public transportation.
