Provincial board set up to promote electric vehicles

Kathmandu : The Bagmati province government has set up the office of province transport operation and management board to operate electric bus service systematically and effectively.

The office was inaugurated by province minister for physical infrastructures Rameshwor Phuyal amidst a programme at Hetauda today. Hetauda in Makwanpur district serves as the capital of Bagmati Province.

On the occasion, the minister shared about the government plan of replacing fossil- fuel powered vehicles by the electric and renewable energy-based vehicles by 2085 BS. This moves aims to de-carbonize the transport sector.

He said in cooperation with all local levels, charging stations, refresh centres and well-managed bus parks will be ensured to operate such vehicles. According to him, Kathmandu’s Ring Road and Kathmandu-Makawanpur route will be in first priority to launch the alternative vehicles during the first phase.

On the occasion, secretary at the ministry and board chair Sanjib Baral said the Board came into existence as per the concept of operating transport sector through the government.

Board newly appointed officiating director Dr Sahadev Bahadur Bhandari pledged the Board will play a role in achieving the province government of promoting electric vehicles to eventually move towards the end of fossil fuelled vehicles. The Board has 17 members. During the first phase, the province government is working on the plan of introducing 30 electric vehicles at various routes.