Shimla: The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) is establishing charging stations across 80 locations at a cost of Rs 122 crore. Charging stations have already been installed at 34 locations, while work at 21 locations is expected to be completed within the next month, said deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri.The process of establishing charging stations at the remaining 25 locations is also underway, Agnihotri added.Presiding over a review meeting with senior HRTC officials on Sunday, the deputy CM said these charging stations were being established at HRTC bus stands and workshops. These stations will provide charging facilities for electric buses operating on various routes and further facilitate their smooth and efficient operation.Agnihotri said that the expansion of charging infrastructure, alongside the introduction of electric buses, was an important step toward strengthening a modern, economical and environment-friendly public transport system in the state.The HRTC, in a phased manner, is developing the required facilities for the operation of electric buses to provide passengers with improved and modern transport services, he said.The deputy CM further stated that a total of 99 charging points were being established across 80 locations. These facilities will be equipped with 180-kilowatt fast CCS-2 chargers.He added that the charging stations were not confined to major cities but were set up at various HRTC bus stands and workshops across the state. In the future, charging stations will also be established at other locations, said Agnihotri.The deputy CM said that, at present, 297 electric buses form a part of the HRTC fleet. These buses are being successfully operated on both long and short-distance routes. The operation of electric buses is helping the Transport Corporation save approximately Rs 15 to Rs 16 per kilometre in diesel expenditure, thereby reducing its operational costs.Generally, an electric bus can travel approximately 180 kilometres on a single charge. However, an electric bus is being successfully operated on the 270-kilometre Haroli-Chandigarh route with a single charge. Similarly, on the 250-kilometre Shimla-Chandigarh-Shimla route, the bus is completing the journey with around 25% battery charge remaining, said Agnihotri.
