Haryana’s first electric buses in Gurugram, Faridabad soon, says Transport Minister
Haryana Transport Minister Mool Chand Sharma, who recently attended Electric Vehicle Seminar and Exhibition in Norway, said that around dozens of electric buses will be introduced on trial basis in NCR region including Gurugram, Faridabad, Jhajjar in the first phase of the Government’s plan for an environment-friendly transportation system in the State. To provide better transport facilities, around 1,000 more buses will be added to the roadways soon, he added. Sharma, who also holds the charge of Skill Development and Industrial Training, said that to provide 'job oriented education’ rather than ‘certificate oriented’ to the youth of the State, a World Skill Centre will be set up in Gurugram. Training provider of this centre will also provide capacity building training to 50 ITIs’ instructors, trainers through international master trainers, free of cost. The Haryana Mines and Geology Minister said that illegal mining will not be tolerated in the State at any cost and the government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against corruption.
In an interview with ‘The Pioneer’, Sharma who holds the charge of Transport, Mines and Geology, Skill Development and Industrial Training and Art and Cultural Affairs talks about steps taken for strengthening transport system, action against illegal mining activities and government’s initiative towards skill development programme for youth, among others. Excerpts from the interview:
You recently attended the Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exhibition in Oslo, Norway. How was your experience there?
A delegation led by me included two MLAs from Haryana and senior officers of the Transport Department. Companies from all over the world displayed their electric vehicles at the Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exhibition in Oslo. It was learnt that big auto companies are working on research and development to bring new electric vehicles. More companies will come in the manufacture of electric vehicles and this will reduce the prices of vehicles and these will be available at affordable prices soon. The vehicles and technology displayed in Oslo would gradually be available in India as well. This seminar would prove to be better for promoting electric vehicles in Haryana.
Has the State government decided to run electric buses in the State?
Electric vehicles are the demand of today's time. Knowing this fact, the State Transport Department is going to include electric buses in their fleet. In the first phase, around dozens of electric buses will be introduced on trial basis in the NCR region including Gurugram, Faridabad and Jhajjar.
A shortage of buses is causing problems for those who use public transport. Large numbers of buses without permits are illegally plying in the State. What action is being taken by the Government?
Our Government is committed to provide better transportation facilities to people in the state and a decision to add 1,000 new buses, including mini-buses, Volvo and luxury buses, in the roadways’ fleet has been taken. Tender process is underway. There is no shortage of buses as such but steps are being taken to provide better transport facilities to the people of the State. During recent inspection at various bus stands, I personally spoke to some daily passengers and college students and assured them of providing proper transport facilities. Moreover, Buses without permits will not be allowed to ply in the state. I too have recently conducted random checking on roads and action was taken against violators. RTO and Roadways officials have been strictly directed to stop the entry of private buses without a permit inside the bus stand. Now action will be taken against the officials if buses without a permit are found.
What is the financial status of Haryana roadways?
This department is running on a ‘no profit, no loss basis’. Unlike other states, our ticket prices are very less. During Covid-19, this department suffered a lot in the form of revenue loss. Now the situation has improved.
Opposition raises illegal mining issues from time to time. What action is being taken by the department concerned against illegal mining operators?
Illegal mining will not be tolerated in the State at any cost. Stern action is being taken against illegal miners. The authorities concerned have been asked to ensure that the incidents of illegal mining should be completely curbed and as per the prescribed norms, strict action should be taken against those found guilty. These officers have been asked to conduct regular meetings of the District Task Force as well as inspect the mining areas from time to time. The state government has also made penalty provisions for illegal mining more stringent. The officers of the Mining Department have been asked to personally visit the sites where illegal mining is being done and take action immediately accordingly.
Unemployment is a big issue in the State. Being a Minister of Skill Development and Industrial Training, what are initiatives taken at your level to provide skill training to the youth of the State?
The State Government has taken several steps to empower youth of the State. To provide ‘job oriented education’ rather than ‘certificate oriented’, a World Skill Centre would be set up in Gurugram. In this centre, training would be imparted to 680 candidates in six main sectors, including tourism and hospitality, retail, IT and ITeS, accounts, banking, finance, logistic, and beauty and wellness. Training provider will provide capacity building training to 50 ITIs’ instructors, trainers through international master trainers, free of cost. The training provider will ensure a minimum of 70 per cent placement to successfully certified candidates with domestic and international brands within India as well as overseas (minimum 15 per cent). Besides this, the provider would also ensure adequate infrastructure development, along with course curriculum development training of Master Trainer, and various recurring and non recurring activities of the training.