Panchkula: The Municipal Corporation (MC) is waiting for green light from the Haryana government for the introduction of battery-operated minibuses, a move aimed at developing Panchkula as a green city. State authorities will introduce the service in phases, with about 20 electrical buses likely to be operational in the city during the first phase. The electrical buses will increase in number if the project receives a positive response.

The municipal corporation is preparing a detailed project report (DPR) which will be given to the state government for their final approval, as per an MC official, who also revealed that the electrical buses, which will be air-conditioned, will have a 32-seat capacity and the ability to run for close to 150 kilometres after charging its batteries fully.

According to the plan, the battery operated buses will function in the bell corridor. Beginning from Housing Board Light Point, the buses will go by sectors 7 to 18, 8 to 17, 9 to 16, 10 to 15, 11 to 14, 12 to 12A, 11 to 10, 5 to 4, 5 to 2, 5 to 6, and the road separating sector 7 and 8.

The buses are estimated to consume 10 to 15 electricity units and cost around Rs 300 to Rs 400 each day. Buses running on diesel would take up 30 to 35 litres of fuel daily, which is likely to cost Rs 1,900 to 2,200.