Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi inaugurated the Electric Bus Depot and Charging Centre in Islamabad, marking a major step towards promoting environmentally friendly public transport in the federal capital.
An official told APP on Friday that the Interior Minister also travelled in an electric bus along with relevant officers to review operational facilities and passenger services.
During the visit, Mohsin Naqvi was given a detailed briefing on the depot’s charging infrastructure, operational capacity, and expansion plans of the electric bus service.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Mohsin Naqvi congratulated the entire team on the successful completion of the project, terming it a significant development for modern and sustainable urban transport.
He said that over 125,000 citizens were currently benefiting from the electric bus service on a daily basis, adding that authorities have set a target to increase ridership to 250,000 passengers per day.
The minister directed officials to ensure that special attention is given to routes serving students, highlighting the importance of safe and reliable transport for educational institutions.
Naqvi also announced the expansion of the electric bus service up to Rawat, stating that the initiative would further improve regional connectivity.
He observed that the electric bus service, along with the metro system, was playing an important role in addressing traffic challenges and facilitating commuters.
The Interior Minister further said that efforts were underway to restore the Rawalpindi-Islamabad railway service, which would provide an additional modern transport option for residents of the twin cities.
Naqvi informed that HIT Pakistan was planning to initiate local manufacturing of electric buses, describing it as a positive step for technological development and economic growth.
Officials said the depot has the capacity to accommodate 64 chargers, of which 50 have already been installed, while the remaining 14 will be added soon.
The briefing highlighted that each charger is capable of charging two buses within two hours, ensuring efficient fleet management.
Authorities further informed that electric buses are currently operating on 21 routes across Islamabad, significantly strengthening the city’s public transport network.
Officials added that the project has been integrated with Google-based systems to enhance passenger convenience and route accessibility.
Chief Commissioner Islamabad, IGP Islamabad Police, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.