200 bus shelters in city to become solar powered

ENERGYEFFICIENT These bus shelters would have advanced LED information display boards

Taking the first step towards an energy-efficient transit system, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation will soon make 200 bus stops in various parts of the city solar energy operated. These bus stops are expected to streamline the bus services which are erratic because the bus drivers stop the vehicles just about anywhere on the road on the demand of passengers.

Most of these bus stops will be on the route of feeder bus services, planned to connect Lucknow metro stations with the interior areas from where the passengers will come to catch the metro train.

According to city engineer, SK Jain, these bus shelters would have advanced LED display boards giving information about arrival and departure time of buses.

Not only that, some display boards would also give information of about movement of the metro train.

Some of these bus stops would also have two modular toilets for the passengers. All this was a part of the smart city project, said additional municipal commissioner PK Srivastava.

“At present, most of the bus shelters are not in good condition. They are managed by private companies to earn advertisement revenue but this time along with revenue we want these bus stations to serve the common man and so, we will try to persuade the authorities of UPSRTC to stop the buses at the designated stops,” Srivastava said.

In September last year, LMC started a campaign against bus shelters which were not in use but displayed advertisement to earn revenue.

A list was prepared and it was decided to put them to use for the common man. The additional municipal commissioner said that use of solar power would save energy and at the same time, these bus shelters would act as power production centres too.

“We will try to persuade LESA to include such shelters with solar panels in their grid if they generate excess power,” he said.