Chandigarh has taken a major step towards clean mobility with the induction of 25 new electric buses into its public transport system. Fifteen buses have already reached the city, while the remaining ten will arrive within a week. Authorities will launch the fleet formally once all buses are delivered.
The buses come from PMI Electro Mobility Solutions and Switch Mobility, part of Ashok Leyland’s electric vehicle arm. The process began after CTU phased out 84 diesel buses that were over 15 years old. Officials first sent a prototype bus for testing.
The Central Institute of Road Transport examined the prototype and submitted its report to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. After approval, the company began supplying the buses.
CTU has acquired the buses under a wet leasing model. Under this system, CTU pays no upfront purchase cost. The manufacturer provides drivers and handles full maintenance. CTU will deploy its own conductors on the buses.
As per the agreement, CTU will pay ₹61 per kilometre to the operating company. The company will also bear driver salary expenses.
These 25 buses form the first phase of a 100-bus order. The remaining 75 buses will arrive before April. The Centre has also announced an additional allocation of 328 electric buses for Chandigarh.
Currently, 40 electric buses already operate in the city. CTU plans to phase out all diesel buses in stages. Once completed, all 468 local route buses will run on electric power, strengthening Chandigarh’s green transport push.
