AP govt plans electric buses to Bhogapuram airport

Visakhapatnam: The state govt planned to operate electric buses to the newly constructed greenfield airport — Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport — at Bhogapuram. To provide better services and a hassle-free journey and also reduce the journey time to the airport from various parts in North Andhra, the govt decided to run the air-conditioned e-buses.It is recalled that the RTC management planned to set up an e-bus complex at Simhachalam and charging stations at Bhogapuram and Gajuwaka. In the wake of several representations from various quarters of society, including the Rushikonda IT Parks Association and Air Travellers' Association, requested the govt to provide a special facility for the passengers.The central govt would provide more than 500 buses to AP by the end of June. Of which, around 100 buses would be allotted to Visakhapatnam. All these buses would be operated from Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam to Bhogapuram Airport, which is likely to be commissioned in the first week of July. Union minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu announced that the airport is likely to be commissioned on July 5. E-buses would avoid the passengers having to bear heavy payments to the taxis.The RTC officials are now preparing a 4-acre land parcel at Simhapuri Colony in the Simhachalam area to be an e-buses complex. The majority of the buses allotted to Vizag would be run from Simhachalam bus depot. RTC officials are now chalking out plans to run the services to which places.RTC officials are reportedly conducting a survey on the availability of flights. However, seven key roads from Vizag would be completed. These buses would be commissioned into the fleet.