Construction of Darbhanga’s first electric bus charging station is progressing rapidly at the Kadirabad government bus stand, local officials say. The project is part of a wider drive to modernise public transport and reduce pollution, and work is expected to finish by June 2025.
Darbhanga electric bus charging station progress and timeline
Transport department engineers estimate the charging station will be completed in time for electric buses to enter service later this year. The facility is being built at an estimated cost of Rs 3.5 crore under the central government’s PM E-Bus service scheme. Bihar State Road Transport Corporation has been allocated 50 electric buses for the district, which officials expect to arrive around August 2025.
Once operational, the charging station will serve as the primary hub for the new fleet. Civil works are currently under way at the bus stand complex, and the transport department is funding the construction. The electricity department will operate the charging substation, which will be connected to the Kadirabad floating power plant substation by a 33 kVA line to ensure a stable power supply.
Environmental and operational benefits
Authorities say the shift from diesel to electric buses will significantly reduce tailpipe emissions and lower noise levels on city roads. Electric vehicles produce no exhaust and operate more quietly than conventional buses, which will help cut air and noise pollution and yield health benefits for residents.
In addition to environmental gains, electric buses typically offer lower operating and maintenance costs, which could help make local public transport more economical in the long term. Officials expect passengers to experience cleaner, quieter and more comfortable journeys once the new fleet begins service.
Implementation and management
The transport department will bear the expenses for building the charging infrastructure, while the electricity department will manage the substation and day-to-day charging operations. Local engineers say the 33 kVA connection from the floating power plant’s substation has been planned to provide sufficient and uninterrupted electricity for simultaneous charging of multiple buses.
Vikas Kumar, a municipal engineer involved in the project, said civil work is ongoing and that operational control will rest with the electricity department when the station is completed. Officials are coordinating vehicle deliveries and charging schedules so that the fleet can be deployed smoothly after arrival.
The project forms part of a national effort to electrify public transport under the PM E-Bus scheme. If the timeline holds, Darbhanga residents can expect the first electric buses on their streets from late summer, marking a step towards greener, more modern urban transport in the district.
Key Takeaways:
- Darbhanga electric bus charging station is under rapid construction at Kadirabad government bus stand and expected to be completed by June 2025.
- The project, funded under the PM E-Bus scheme at an estimated cost of Rs 3.5 crore, will support 50 electric buses allocated to the district.
- The charging substation will be linked to the Kadirabad floating power plant via a 33 kVA line and operated by the electricity department.
- Officials say electric buses will reduce air and noise pollution and cut operating costs, improving public transport for passengers.
