Diesel-run buses to be phased out from Patna soon

PATNA: Diesel-run private buses operating in the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) area will be replaced with compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered minibuses soon to reduce air pollution in the city. The state transport department has set the target to swap 50 city buses with environment-friendly fuel by March 2022.

The department has received 83 applications from private players for replacement of old buses with CNG-run buses and 43 applications have already been accepted by the district-level selection committee. Transport minister Sheela Kumari said introduction of CNG buses would reduce pollution in Patna urban area. “It will be operated on the designated routes,” she said.

The minister said 70 CNG-run standard-size buses are being operated by Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC). “The number will be increased further in future. These buses are environment-friendly and cost-efficient,” Sheela said.

Transport secretary Sanjay Kumar Agrawal said diesel-run buses would be phased out from Patna roads by June next year. These buses, however, will be allowed to run in rural areas of Patna and other districts,” he added.

The 24-seater CNG buses will be equipped with CCTV cameras, speed governor, GPS tracker, fire extinguisher and first-aid kit.