37 buses of Sajha Yatayat still on trial

Challenges in operation due to lack of charging stations  

By Bishnu Pandeya, Kathmandu, March 23: The 37 electric buses brought from China by the Sajha Yatayat are not coming into operation. 

Mahendra Raj Pandey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sajha Yatayat said that the operated buses, purchased by Sajha Yatayat, are still undergoing mechanical testing. 

According to him, of the 40 buses, three have come into operation followed by mechanical testing, while, the remaining 37 buses are being mechanically tested. He said, “We purchased a total of 40 buses from China, of which, three are being operated. The process of testing other remaining buses mechanically is underway.”

The electric buses bought from China are being checked by the technical team of Ekantakuna, the Transport Management Office and the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport. Even though the mechanical testing looks positive, bringing them into operation is still in question. The Sajha Yatayat had purchased 40 buses at a cost of Rs 1.5 million per bus. 

Pandey said, “There is a problem in operating the buses as there are not enough charging stations for electric buses. Land search for the charging station is in progress, but, it looks like it will be a difficult journey as we have not still found suitable land.”

 “There is a lack of land for building charging stations. The search for land is ongoing. We have requested the government for land management.”

According to him, there is a problem with bringing electric buses into operation for the procured buses are not charging from other private charging stations. Therefore, there is a need for separate charging stations for these electric buses.

There is an agreement that the manufacturing company of China will repair these buses for five years. These buses are ready to be put into operation only after they are registered and approved after testing. 

He said,” There are only two charging stations for these three operating buses. These three buses get charged from the Pulchowk charging station, built by Nepal Electricity Authority and the Balkhu charging station. One charging station is needed to charge two buses. However, three buses are being charged in two charging stations. This will bring the problem of charging if more electric buses are added in the future.”

Suresh Bahadur Bhattarai, Spokesperson of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) said that electric lines have been provided at 52 charging stations in different places across the valley. 

He said,” NEA has committed to providing electricity required for charging stations all across the country. If the Sajha Yatayat will request electric lines by selecting places, then NEA will provide electricity.”