Two Electric Buses Remain Unused at Gautam Buddha International Airport

Butwal. Despite the government's decision to operate the electric buses that have been stranded in Lumbini for years at various airports, two buses kept at Gautam Buddha International Airport have not yet come into operation, even though services have started at three airports.

As per the secretary-level decision of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Lumbini Development Trust sent those buses through the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal to operate at Pokhara, Surkhet, Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi airports last March. Although the plan was to send two out of five buses to Pokhara initially, those buses were held back here, citing the need for Gautam Buddha International Airport. Subsequently, the remaining three buses were sent to Nepalgunj, Surkhet and Dhangadhi airports at the end of March.

These buses have been in operation at Nepalgunj, Surkhet and Dhangadhi airports since the first week of June. Free shuttle service is being provided for the convenience of passengers up to about two kilometers from the airport. However, the two buses kept in Bhairahawa are still in disuse.

According to Shyamkishor Sah, acting general manager of Gautam Buddha International Airport, there was an oral instruction from the ministry to keep two out of five buses in Bhairahawa. Although there was a plan to operate these buses targeting passengers traveling to and from Lumbini-Bhairahawa, they have not been formally handed over to the airport yet.

'The air conditioning (AC) system of the bus is broken. Although it can be repaired and operated, we have not been able to run them because they have not been officially handed over,' Sah said. He informed that although they have repeatedly corresponded with the higher authorities on this matter, no formal decision has been received yet.

Five electric buses and 14 electric vans were brought with the grant assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with the objective of making Buddha birthplace Lumbini a pollution-free zone. Although the buses have been handed over to other bodies, the Lumbini Development Trust is making internal preparations to operate the electric vans, said Dr. Haridhwoj Rai, information officer of the Trust.

These electric buses were brought in 2077 BS targeting tourists visiting Lumbini via Gautam Buddha International Airport. However, as the operation process became complicated, the ministry strictly instructed to operate the buses at other airports rather than keeping them idle in the sun and rain for a long time.

According to Rai, the information officer of the Trust, the buses were sent according to the ministry's decision, and the responsibility of where and how they are being operated now lies with the concerned bodies.

Free Shuttle Bus Service from Airport to Market

The free shuttle bus service operated by the government has provided significant convenience to passengers arriving and departing at various airports. Among the buses provided by the ministry, shuttle service is currently being operated regularly at Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi and Surkhet airports.

Passengers arriving at these airports are provided free transport up to the nearest main intersection or market area. Airport officials have stated that this service has been particularly helpful for passengers in areas with limited access to public transport. The bus schedule is also adjusted according to the flight times of takeoffs and landings.

According to Dharma Singh Rana, information officer at Dhangadhi Airport, arrangements have been made to transport passengers to Mohanpur Chowk, about two kilometers away. Since Mohanpur Chowk is connected to the highway, it is convenient for passengers to travel to their destinations.

Similarly, a free shuttle bus service is also in operation at Nepalgunj Airport. Passengers are transported from the airport to Rajachowk, about one and a half kilometers away, from where transportation to other destinations is easily available.

In Surkhet, the shuttle bus service has been extended since May 23. According to airport chief Hirajan Kafle, for the convenience of passengers, bus services are being operated from the airport to Trikune Chowk, Kalinchowk, Ghantaghar Chowk and Mangalgadhi Chowk. This service has removed the compulsion for passengers to use expensive private vehicles to travel from the airport to the market.

This service has proven effective due to the increasing number of regular flights between Kathmandu-Surkhet and passengers traveling to the Himalayan districts of Karnali.