About 1,200 electric buses will soon be added to Kolkata’s vehicular fleet after clearance from the finance department, said city mayor Firhad Hakim on June 4.
“The introduction of more electric and CNG-operated buses will reduce Kolkata's carbon footprint,” noted Hakim, who is also state transport minister.
“We already have about 85 electric buses running across the city. An agreement has been inked with a company for 1,200 more electric buses — the process is just awaiting final clearance from the finance department,” he said.
“We plan to run battery-operated buses mainly in Kolkata as well as in cities like Durgapur, Asansol and Siliguri. CNG-powered buses will be used for long-distance routes,” he also said.
On World Environment Day tomorrow, Hakim will participate in an event titled “Kolkata’s Climate Future: Searching for the Solution”, presented by Environment Governed Integrated Organisation (EnGIO) in association with Prabha Khaitan Foundation and powered by TT Online My Kolkata.
State disaster management minister Javed Ahmed Khan, state pollution control chairman Kalyan Rudra, its member-secretary Rajesh Kumar and Bangladesh deputy high commissioner Andalib Elias will attend the event at Kolkata Press Club.
Referring to the damage done by Cyclone Amphan or Yaas, Hakim said they would soon consider preparing a comprehensive climate action plan for the city with the help of experts.
“We plan to bring in more modern equipment and trained manpower to tackle extreme situations like cyclones and other natural calamities in the state, including in Kolkata and its hinterland,” said Khan.
“We expect the meeting to show ways in which the city can be made climate-safe,” pointed out Dulal Bose, former sheriff of Kolkata, on behalf of the organisers.