E-Buses to Hit the Roads in Lucknow and Kanpur, Yogi Cabinet Gives Green Signal
The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has approved a major step toward making public transport more eco-friendly and modern. In Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, the proposal to launch electric bus (e-bus) services in Lucknow, the state capital, and Kanpur, the industrial hub, was approved.
E-Bus Project to Operate on Net Cost Contract Model
Urban Development Minister A.K. Sharma informed that the e-bus project will run on the Net Cost Contract (NCC) model. Under this arrangement, the responsibility of procurement, operation, and maintenance of buses will lie with private operators. The government will not provide financial support but will facilitate e-charging stations, permits, and other legal assistance.
Key Features of the E-Buses
- Cost per e-bus: Approx. ₹10 crore
- Length: 9 meters
- Passenger Capacity: 28 seats + 13 standing
- Initial Plan: One bus per route, later to be expanded to around 200 buses
- Contract Duration: 12 years
- Fare Control: The government will retain the right to fix fares
At present, the Urban Transport Directorate is running 743 e-buses across 15 municipal corporations in UP, of which 700 operate under the Gross Cost Contract model.
Proposed Routes in Lucknow
- Charbagh to Barabanki
- Charbagh to Deva
- Charbagh to Kursi
- Kamta to Airport
- Balaganj to Mohanlalganj
- Balaganj to Viraj Khand
- Ghantaghar to Mal Thana
- Ghantaghar to Sandila
- Scooter India to Engineering College
- Dubagga to Gangaganj
Proposed Routes in Kanpur
- Ghantaghar to Akbarpur
- Kanpur Railway Station to Bindki
- Kanpur Railway Station to Bithoor
- Kanpur Railway Station to Ghatampur
- Kanpur Railway Station to IIT
- Ghantaghar to Musanagar
- Kanpur City Circular Road
- Rama Devi to Jahanabad
- Fazalganj to Rura
- Kanpur Railway Station to Unnao
A Step Towards Green Energy & Cleaner Cities
The operation of e-buses on these routes will not only provide better and more comfortable travel for passengers but also help in reducing pollution. The government claims this initiative will be a major shift toward green energy and sustainable urban development in the state.
