BHUBANESWAR: The Government is all set to explore energy efficient and renewable energy mechanisms for its public transport system in the Capital and other cities included under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) phase II of which is scheduled to go underway from 2014.
Electricity and solar powered buses could be introduced to make the public transport system more environment friendly and reduce carbon footprints in the cities, Commissioner, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Vishal Dev said here on Thursday.
Taking part in the Stakeholders meet on ‘Driving low carbon developmental strategies in Orissa’, organised by British Deputy High Commission and Indian Chamber of Commerce, Dev stressed the need to make the urban transport system more robust. A strong and thriving public transport system will reduce dependence on personal vehicles and thus lead to lessening of carbon footprints.
Currently, 100 diesel-powered city buses are operational in the Twin cities along with Puri. Minister for Environment and Forests Debi Prasad Mishra inaugurated the meet.
British Deputy High Commissioner, Eastern India, Sanjay Wadhwani said, challenges in tackling climate change and creating a low carbon economy can be dealt with only by collective efforts. The UK has launched its Carbon Plan recently.
The UK FCO’s Prosperity Fund is supporting two key projects in Odisha and West Bengal, “Fiscal instruments for climate-friendly industrial development in Odisha and West Bengal,” and creating a favourable policy environment for adoption of low carbon energy efficient LED technology in street lighting in Odisha and West Bengal”.
Among others Sriram Ramachandra from Planning Commission, First Secretary, Climate Change and Energy of the British High Commission, Rachel Brass and ICC DG Rajeev Singh spoke.