KATHMANDU: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Kulman Ghising, has requested support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to study the feasibility of operating electric trolley buses on Kathmandu’s Ring Road and major highways currently under expansion.
During a briefing on the Sustainable Urban Electric Mobility Project with ADB Nepal Country Director Arnaud Cauchois and his team on Wednesday, Minister Ghising asked ADB to assist in developing a trolley bus system.
Minister Ghising said, “Road expansion is ongoing along Kathmandu Ring Road, Kathmandu–Dhulikhel, Pokhara–Muglin, Butwal–Narayanghat, Butwal–Bhairahawa, and Biratnagar–Dharan. One lane of these widened roads can be used for trolley buses. We must promote electric systems like trolley buses to increase domestic consumption of electricity. Please support the feasibility study.”
Nepal’s first trolley bus service, launched in 1975 from Tripureshwar to Surya Binayak with support from the Chinese government, has been completely shut down since 2009.
Under ADB’s support, the Sustainable Urban Electric Mobility Project aims to expand electric public transport in Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara Metropolitan City, and the Lumbini–Butwal–Siddharthanagar corridor.
The project plans to introduce 250 electric public transport vehicles, along with charging stations, maintenance and operational facilities, cycling and pedestrian access to bus stops, and other supporting infrastructure.
The project concept has already been approved, and feasibility studies are currently underway. Implementation will be carried out through municipal governments with financing mobilized via the Town Development Fund and the Infrastructure Development Bank. For Pokhara, a proposal has been made to establish a Public Transport Authority under Gandaki Province.
The project’s estimated cost is USD 160 million (around Rs 22.56 billion). Of this, ADB will provide USD 100 million in concessional financing and USD 40 million at zero interest, while the remaining amount will be covered by the Government of Nepal.
