Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a fleet of 45 electric buses and three hydrogen buses on Friday,marking significant step towards enhancing sustainable transportation in the state. The buses will serve routes to the upcoming Jewar Airport,connecting Noida,Greater Noida, and Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) regions.
During a video conference from Lucknow,Adityanath emphasized the government's commitment to environmentally friendly transport,aligning with the vision of green mobility set forth by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He stated, “The Uttar Pradesh Government will connect every city and village with petrol and diesel-free green mobility electric services in the coming years.” The Chief Minister also announced that operations at India’s largest airport,Noida International Airport, are set to commence on June 15.
Adityanath highlighted importance of seamless air connectivity for burgeoning IT and electronics hub in the region . He noted that introduction of electric buses would significantly improve last-mile connectivity, complementing existing metro services . By June 15,the state plans to roll out a total of 110 electric buses, with potential to expand fleet to 500 based on demand .
The Chief Minister pointed out that Uttar Pradesh now boasts road network of 400,000 kilometers,including highways and expressways. He remarked on the transformation of the state’s infrastructure, once known for poor road conditions, into a model of connectivity with projects like the Ganga Expressway and Purvanchal Expressway. “Travellers journeying on country’s largest Ganga Expressway between Meerut and Prayagraj are often amazed that this is the same Uttar Pradesh where roads and potholes were once indistinguishable,” he said .
In addition to electric buses, the introduction of hydrogen buses represents an innovative approach to reducing air pollution. These buses, provided to YEIDA by NTPC, will utilize hydrogen produced from treated sewer water,rather than conventional sources. This initiative is expected to contribute to cleaner air, particularly benefiting vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
Adityanath also announced launch of the Uttar Pradesh Clean Air Management Project (UP CAMP),supported by a ₹2,741 crore investment from World Bank. This initiative aims to further the state’s net-zero targets . He noted the transition from halogen streetlights to over 1.5 million LED lights since 2017,which has significantly reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions.
With metro services operational in seven cities across Uttar Pradesh,the state is expanding its electric bus services to Noida, where local manufacturing is now possible . Two plants by Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland have been established in Lucknow,enabling the production of electric buses within state.
As the event concluded, Adityanath reiterated the government's commitment to prioritizing employment opportunities for local youth in the transport sector, particularly in rural areas. The launch of these buses is seen as a crucial step in enhancing public transport while promoting sustainable practices in Uttar Pradesh.
