Sudurpaschim to bring electric buses into operation only next year

Published On: February 10, 2019 08:42 AM NPT By: PUSHPARAJ JOSHI


KAILALI, Feb 10: Even seven months after announcing its full-fledged budget, Sudurpaschim Province has not been able to implement its decision to operate its own electric bus service.

The provincial assembly had announced to bring electric buses into operation within this fiscal year. But it is nowhere close to even formulating the plans and policies for the much-awaited project. As per the officials of the province, this topic has not been given much priority in the provincial assembly.

Some ministers often bring this topic in the meetings but the other members apparently do not show much interest. According to one of the officials, lawmakers had urged the staffers to initiate the process for the operation of the electric bus service at least from Kailali to Kanchanpur. However, no one seemed interested.

At a time when the federal government has failed to recruit enough staffers, those who have already been appointed are also finding reasons to escape from their responsibilities. This according to many is the reason why the province has not been able to gain physical development.

Keshav Awasthi, personal secretary of Pathan Singh Bohora, minister for physical planning and infrastructure, stated that the lack of enough labor and a directorate of transportation is the reason behind the delay in a number of projects. "But we will operate our buses in the New Year. As of now, we are busy studying the prospects," said Bohora. Though Minister Bohora often brings the topic of a provincial bus service, he cannot start the process as there are not enough staffers to execute the project, say officials.

As per some sources in the secretariat of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure, the homework for the operation of electric buses has finally begun in the province. The ministry has planned to appoint staffers on contract for carrying out this project. Preparations are underway to keep the charging station of the bus from Gadda Chauki of Kanchanpur to Chisapani.

Before kicking off the project, officials will be sent to India to observe the operation of electric buses. This project may be apt for Kailali-Kanchanpur as both these places have access to electricity.  

 


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