Mangaluru: A new chapter in the public transport history of the coastal city is set to begin as Mangaluru prepares to welcome its first private electric bus. The eco-friendly vehicle will be inaugurated on February 26 and is expected to begin operations soon after completion of registration formalities.
The initiative is being spearheaded by Ganesh Prasad Travels, marking a significant shift towards sustainable mobility in the city’s private bus sector. The electric bus will operate on the prominent Route Number 27, covering the Mangaladevi–State Bank–Mangaladevi circuit, one of the busiest stretches in the city.
Green initiative by Ganesh Prasad Travels
Dilraj Alva, owner of Ganesh Prasad Travels, is the driving force behind the transition. Known for introducing innovative changes in the local transport sector, he has now taken a pioneering step by inducting an electric bus into commercial service.
The 9-metre-long, 32-seater electric bus has been purchased from Newton Auto, a Pune-based manufacturer. Notably, this is the first electric bus produced by the company to be deployed for commercial operations, adding to the significance of the launch.
The bus offers a range of approximately 200 km on a full charge, which is sufficient to cover its daily route requirements. It supports fast charging technology, allowing the battery to be fully charged in about two hours. Under standard slow charging conditions, the process takes around five hours.
Charging infrastructure and operations
Speaking about the charging infrastructure, Dilraj Alva said that since the company is starting with a single unit, there are no immediate plans to set up a dedicated charging station. Instead, the bus will rely on public charging facilities available at select petrol bunks across Mangaluru.
He explained that operational planning has been done carefully to ensure that charging schedules do not disrupt daily trips. Currently, Ganesh Prasad Travels operates five buses, each completing around 19 trips per day. The newly introduced electric bus will replace one of the existing diesel-powered vehicles.
The Route 27 corridor, connecting Mangaladevi and State Bank areas, witnesses heavy passenger movement, including office-goers, students and daily commuters. Introducing an electric bus on this stretch is expected to provide commuters with a quieter and smoother travel experience while also reducing vehicular emissions in the congested city centre.
Focus on reducing carbon emissions
Dilraj Alva emphasised that the decision to introduce an electric bus was driven primarily by environmental considerations rather than short-term profit calculations.
“My primary goal is to reduce carbon emissions and contribute positively to the environment, beyond just profit and loss,” he said. He added that the long-term plan is to gradually phase out all diesel buses in his fleet and replace them with electric alternatives.
In line with this vision, he has co-founded a company named Charge Mobility Private Limited along with like-minded partners. The company aims to work towards building a greener transport ecosystem in Mangaluru by promoting electric mobility solutions and supporting infrastructure development.
A step towards sustainable urban mobility
The introduction of a private electric bus comes at a time when cities across India are increasingly focusing on sustainable urban transport solutions. While government-run transport corporations in several states have begun inducting electric buses, private sector participation remains limited in many regions.
Mangaluru’s move to integrate a privately operated electric bus into its regular city service marks an important milestone. It signals a shift in mindset among local operators who are exploring cleaner technologies amid rising fuel costs and growing environmental awareness.
Environmental experts point out that even replacing a single diesel bus with an electric one can significantly cut down carbon emissions over time. If scaled up, such initiatives could contribute meaningfully to improved air quality in urban areas.
As the electric bus prepares to roll out on Route 27, commuters and transport stakeholders alike are watching closely. If successful, the initiative could pave the way for more private operators in Mangaluru to embrace electric mobility, gradually transforming the city’s public transport network into a greener and more sustainable system.