Nagpur: Ethanol-run Green bus service, the ambitious project of Union Minister for road and transport and highways Nitin Gadkari seems to have failed drastically in Nagpur. Scania, the Swedish bus maker company issued its termination notice to Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) stating they are not likely to run Green buses from August 13.
While the experts have alleged NMC for maintaining casual approach, some few high operaton cost in running the project.
Ankit Yelekar who works with a private firm expressed his anguish stating, “This was the prominent project, seeking to create ideal environment in local transport. However people more often use personal vehicle, so it won’t be a big issue. When it comes to daily commuters they have enough of options to choose from, nonetheless, Ola and Uber. Eventually they had to shut this project. Sadly good initiative won’t reward you money.”
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Monday 31March 2025
Punyajeet Chauhan, a student laments, “No wonder lack of administration’s attention cost Green buses its vitality. At the onset they charged more compare to other public transports. I’m not a management student who can give expert comments but one thing is for sure – you should charge more at the beginning. Plus when they knew that high pricing is affecting the choice of commuters, then instead of reducing price they continued with their ways. This clearly shows how serious were NMC officials when it comes to keep such a big project floating.”
Kaustav Chatterjee, environment expert and founder Green Vigil Foundation, says, “Implementation of bio-fuel is certainly a boon for the environment and in absence of Green buses that it will have adverse effects on surrounding. With sugar cane and corn being the main constituent, unlike petrol and diesel, ethanol is a renewable source of energy which has upper hand when it comes to creating ideal environment.”
“With ongoing construction of metro and highways, vehicles emit more carbon after getting stuck in traffic. Poor marketing and casual approach of NMC officials cost us Green bus. NMC could have educated people that by using Green buses we are contributing towards environment. People are often inclined to choose pocket-friendly rides compare to luxurious ones. A high price of the ticket is another reason why this project sank without trace,” he added.
NMC had launched the nation’s first ethanol-run bus in the city and included it into its fleet of local transport in association with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and Swedish bus manufacturer Scania. MP Nitin Gadkari had also planned to launch the buses throughout the nation based on the reports of the pilot project which has now failed drastically in Nagpur.
… Shubham Nagdeve
