E-Buses Worth Crores Lying Idle in Shimla; Spare Parts and Battery Shortages Trouble HRTC
Electric buses worth crores of rupees are lying idle in HRTC workshops in Shimla and Dhalli. Out of 50 e-buses added to the fleet in 2018–19, 22 are now non-functional. These buses began facing technical issues from 2020, but repairs have been delayed due to a shortage of spare parts and insufficient staff.
The buses, imported from a Chinese company, have batteries costing up to ₹15 lakh each, and other spare parts are also expensive and not easily available in any Indian state. Parts from idle buses are being cannibalized to keep others running.
Currently, HRTC operates 110 e-buses across Shimla, Dharamshala, and Kullu-Manali. Out of these, 22 buses in Shimla are non-functional, while buses in other regions continue to run.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said that the earlier e-buses did not have an AMC clause. New buses being procured now include provisions for repairs and battery replacement. The government is promoting electric mobility, and by April this year, nearly 297 new electric buses are expected to join the HRTC fleet.
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