Battery Bus - Answer for nashik

Battery Bus: Green Answer for Nashik

Battery Bus: Green Answer for Nashik

Prepared by - Citizen of NashikPrepared by - Citizen of Nashik

Nashik - ScenarioNashik - Scenario

• Nashik is one of key cities in Maharashtra with population of more than 1.5 million

• Due the frantic growth driven by industrial as well as residential development, Nashik is facing acute traffic and pollution problem posing threat to health of the city and damaging work environment

• According to Environmental Sustainability Index, 2008 - Maharashtra ranks poor 20th out of 28 states in India in terms of environment performance and Nashik is 45th most polluted city in India

• Increasing pollution is adversely affecting not only the health of citizens but the climate of the city which is vital for its world class agricultural industry

• Rising oil prices is also an challenge

• Pollution free Mass Transport System is a need of the day…

Solution: Battery BusSolution: Battery Bus

• Battery operated buses are increasing becoming popular all over the world as preferred mode of public transport

• Generally, the buses have seating capacity of 10-30 seats with top speed of about 40 km/hour (City Bus service speed in Mumbai is 20 km/hour)

• The bus can run for 70 km – 130 km per recharge which is suitable for city travel. It has low vibration and quiet operation

• Battery can be recharged at end points of each routes. One can reduce the environmental impact by using renewable energy options such as wind or solar to recharge bus batteries

• Cost of running for 20 seater bus can be as low as 1.2 – 1.5 Rs per km which is far cheaper compared to petrol, diesel or CNG

• Some of Global cities which have successfully operated battery bus service are: Chattanooga, Tennessee; Napa Valley, California; Hong Kong; St Helens, England and Beijing since Olympics 2008

Government Aid and SubsidyGovernment Aid and Subsidy

• Government of India is continuously encouraging use of environmentally friendly vehicle through various incentives

• Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is promoting Battery Operated Vehicle (BOV) for its benefits such as non-polluting, quiet operation to conserve fossil fuel

• Currently, it offers subsidy of 33% cost of Bus / Mini Bus (10-seater and above) up to maximum 3.5 lakh per vehicle for all Government organizations, Government Undertakings and autonomous institutions(Nashik Municipal Corporation should be one of them!!!)

• The scheme has already been offered for 305 vehicles across country till now….

Government Incentive should be used by Institutions like NMC in the interest of city and public

Examples: CitiesExamples: Cities

• AgraThe City offers pollution free connectivity for visitors between Red Fort and Taj Mahal. Battery operated buses are available during 6am –7pm every 15 minutes at nominal fare

• ChandhigarhThe planned city opted for environmental friendly battery operated buses in 2007. The initial fleet of 10 buses with capacity of 20 seats each was purchased to run on inner sector roads as well as to connect nearby villages

Other Indian cities and institutions such JNU are also looking at the option with interest and seriousness

Interestingly, Pune Mayor during 2003 enjoyed visit to Australia to attend the seminar on Urban Management and study the concept of battery buses. But as always, city got nothing but empty promises and bills of foreign visit. We can see how last seven years had degraded the pollution status of the Pune city.

Benefits of Battery BusBenefits of Battery Bus

Zero PollutionZero Pollution Experience for NMC to run public Transport

Experience for NMC to run public Transport Lowest running costLowest running cost

Optimum size of bus (20-30 seats) for higher

occupancy

Optimum size of bus (20-30 seats) for higher

occupancy

Better and cheaper than monorail, metro

train etc.

Better and cheaper than monorail, metro

train etc.

Access to un-served areas (Pin Code

422001)

Access to un-served areas (Pin Code

422001)

Would be 1st city in Maharashtra

Would be 1st city in Maharashtra

Image Improvement / Boost to tourism

Image Improvement / Boost to tourism

Increased Safety and Reduction in Accidents

Increased Safety and Reduction in Accidents

Government Subsidy Government Subsidy Carbon CreditsCarbon CreditsIncrease of awareness among citizens about environmental issues

Increase of awareness among citizens about environmental issues

ChallengesChallenges

Political incompetence /

Corruption

Political incompetence /

Corruption

Wasted Interests of selfish people /

groups

Wasted Interests of selfish people /

groups

Resistance from Auto Rickshaw

Drivers

Resistance from Auto Rickshaw

DriversBureaucratic road

blocks

Bureaucratic road blocks

Proposed Routes for Battery Bus ServiceProposed Routes for Battery Bus Service

• Shalimar – Dwarka - Nashik Road• Shalimar – CBS – Ashok Stambh – Ravivar Karanja - Panchavati• Panchavati – Mhasrul• Ashok Stambh - Someshwar (Trial Route)• Shalimar – CBS – Canada Corner – Mahatma Nagar• Panchavati – Mumbai Naka• Shalimar – Trimurti Chowk• Dwarka – Adgaon• Dwarka – Pathardi Phata• Shalimar – Indiranagar• Shalimar – Trimbak Naka – Mahatma Nagar – Satpur Colony• Exclusive service from Ganeshwadi to Meher Point, Budhya Halwai to

Shalimar,Sarda Circle to Ganesh wadi (Need some ground work for these routes)

• And many more

Ideal Distance for any route would be 15 km One Way

Way Forward…Way Forward…

Although battery operated bus has higher initial cost, benefits offered by the system outnumbered disadvantages by huge margin making it one of the most viable and environmental friendly mass transport option.

Nashik as a city has all the potential to become one of most developed and happy city in the world. However, lack of will power to change has remained the biggest obstacle. We must become the part of change till it is too late…

“M” stands for “Maturity”“M” stands for “Maturity”