Goa government’s Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) has a proposal to buy 30 diesel buses besides the 10 that joined the existing fleet of 450 diesel and 150 EV buses (48 plying in Panaji). The KTC chairman categorically stated that no more EV buses would be bought (TGE Sep 27, 2026). On one hand, the government encourages EV vehicles as these are non-polluting, ply quite silently and subsidies are provided. The EV buses have a sleek look exterior and a nice interior. KTC has its own charging station. On the other hand, 40 diesel buses have been procured that will need regular fuel and also will entail high maintenance costs. Although government talks about environmental damages and climate change due to use of fossil fuels, but for some unknown reasons it is reluctant to replace diesel buses with EV ones.
SRIDHAR D IYER, Caranzalem
