By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, July 21, 2019: In line with the national trend, Odisha government will soon introduce electric buses in the urban areas of the state primarily to curb the increasing air pollution.

In the first phase, these electric buses are going to run in the temple town of Puri along with the city of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, Ashok Chandra Panda, Science and Technology Minister informed the assembly on Saturday.

Panda said that the state government is planning to phase out the conventional transport system with the electric buses. These e-buses are going to operate within the radius of 100 km, covering the cities of Puri, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. He further added that regarding this proposal, a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed soon. Inclusion of electric vehicles in the public transportation system is for sure going to reduce air pollution in the state.

This news from Odisha comes in sync with the central government’s massive push of electric mobility in India. The announcement of a reduction in the GST slab, along with incentives on taxes on the loan paid on the purchase of electric vehicles is part of the 2019 budget which was presented in the Parliament recently.

Besides, incentives for commercial three and four-wheelers are being provided under the Rs 10,000 crore FAME II scheme. These extend to two-wheelers for personal use as well.