Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to welcome its first electric double-decker bus tomorrow, as announced by Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushnachandra Mohapatra. Two buses have already left Mumbai for Bhubaneswar and are expected to arrive tomorrow.
The buses will be used to transport Indian diaspora during the “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas” ceremony, scheduled to take place at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar from January 8 to 10. Before being opened to the general public, the buses will undergo a trial run on the capital’s highways.
These buses are part of the state government’s initiative to promote green energy and reduce carbon footprint. The fleet will initially operate in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri, with plans to expand to other urban areas if successful.
The electric double-decker buses are manufactured by a company in Mumbai and feature Odisha’s art and culture prominently. The ocher-coloured buses showcase the state’s rich heritage, with imprints of the Konark wheel, Dhauli Shantistutu, Gotipua dance, and other art forms.
This new addition to Odisha’s public transportation system has generated significant enthusiasm among the residents of the capital. With two more buses expected to arrive in the future, the state is taking a significant step towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation system.
