Bhubaneswar: Odisha Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena announced on Thursday that all buses run by the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) will be gradually converted into electric vehicles (EVs) as part of the state government’s push for eco-friendly and economical public transport.
This major announcement comes at a time when rumours of fuel shortage had triggered panic buying at petrol pumps in Bhubaneswar earlier in the day.
The minister said the government is actively promoting the use of EVs in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to protect the environment and reduce fuel expenditure.
Speaking to the media, Jena said he would personally switch to an electric vehicle from today and limit himself to using only one official vehicle. “Austerity must begin from oneself,” he remarked.
He added that other ministers would also follow this example, inspired by the Chief Minister’s decision to reduce his own convoy size by half.
Jena highlighted that adopting electric mobility would not only help preserve ecological balance but also result in significant long-term savings. He urged citizens to make greater use of public transport like buses and trains wherever possible.
The minister further informed that the government is in talks with companies to set up adequate EV charging infrastructure across the state. Out of 100 proposed charging stations, work on 30 has already been completed, including 15 stations in Bhubaneswar.
He also assured that manufacturers willing to transition to electric vehicle production would receive necessary support and incentives from the government.
