The Telangana Transport Minister has introduced ten new electric AC buses named “Garuda” on the Hyderabad-Vijayawada route. The buses were purchased by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) and are eco-friendly. TSRTC has added 760 super luxury and AC sleeper buses, and the fleet is on its way to reaching 10,000 vehicles. The government has allocated Rs 1,500 crores each year to support TSRTC’s success.
The grand inauguration took place at Miyapur, with several dignitaries in attendance. Minister Ajay Kumar praised TSRTC for being a pioneer in introducing electric buses and adhering to the Telangana State Electric Vehicle Policy. TSRTC Chairman Bajireddy Govardhan emphasized that the Hyderabad-Vijayawada route has approximately 50,000 daily commuters and TSRTC strives to provide top-notch facilities. Managing Director VC Sajjanar marked the day as a historic milestone, as TSRTC operates inter-city electric AC buses for the first time.
The transition to electric buses aims to contribute to building a pollution-free society that prioritizes environmental well-being. The buses stop at Suryapet for 20 minutes to recharge, enabling them to cover up to 300 kilometers on a single charge. The Chairman and Managing Director of Olectra Green Tech Limited announced that they would supply a total of 560 electric buses to TSRTC on a gross cost contract basis. The initial phase includes ten buses, with the remaining buses to be provided in the near future.
