BES&T administration can prepare a development plan for water-based and air-powered double-decker buses at Nariman Point, suggests Union Minister Shri Gadkari
Union Minister addresses Platinum Jubilee (Amrit Mahotsav) Year Celebrations of BrihanMumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BES&T)
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari addressed the Platinum Jubilee (Amrit Mahotsav) Year Celebrations of BrihanMumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BES&T) in Mumbai today. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Nitin Gadkari said that it is a matter of happiness that BEST is celebrating the Amrit Mahotsav when the nation too is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
As the Union Road Transport Minister, pollution-free vehicles are my priority, said Shri Gadkari. “The cost of electric transport is very less compared to Petrol and Diesel. Centre is getting 5,000 electeic buses, this will reduce pollution as well as cost.”
To get the maximum number of citizens diverted to using public transport, it is time to use technology in a sophisticated way, pointed out the Minister. Shri Gadkari appealed to the BEST administration to digitize the public transport system as 70 per cent subsidy is received from the Centre for digitalisation. The Union Minister proposed to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to build a multi-storey bridge to solve the problem of traffic congestion in Mumbai. For the Mumbai-Delhi 12 hour highway journey, cooperation from the State is needed, added Shri Gadkari.
If water taxis are introduced to connect with Navi Mumbai airport, it will be reachable in just 17 minutes and it is also pollution free. If BES&T takes up this project, it will be beneficial and it is easy to go for a 100-seater fast speed boat.
nitin gadkari
The Minister’s advice to BES&T is to electrify all buses soon, so the losses will be covered soon. “Government should think about using hydrogen. Flex engine vehicle production has already started. Most of these vehicles are manufactured in Maharashtra. If taxis and Auto rickshaws in Mumbai start using electric or flex engines, it will help reduce pollution. This will also bring financial benefits by reducing the cost of petrol.”
Shri Gadkari appealed to Maharashtra Government to send proposals for ropeway, cable car and funicular railway. 165 such schemes have been approved across the country. A double-decker bus that runs on water and in the air can be started in Mumbai by putting a ropeway peeler from Nariman Point, like in the Philippines. For this, he said BES&T may start working on Detailed project Report (DPR).
The Minister’s address can be watched here:
