ISLAMABAD: Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa discussed a proposal to extend the civic agency`s electric bus service to Hasanabadal and Fatehjang.

According to sources, the governor and the CDA chief met in Islamabad on Thursday.

They said that there was a likelihood that CDA would extend its services to these areas as the civic agency already plies electric buses on a route between Taxila and Islamabad.

The development authority has 160 electric buses plying on various routes in Islamabad.

`We are working on a proposal to extend our service to the two areas, but this is just a proposal as we will check the demand for it,` said an official of CDA.

He said that every day, a large number of people from Fatehjang and Hasanabdal travel to Islamabad. `If this service is started, it will be a great relief for the public,` he said.

Interestingly, after the meeting between the governor and the chairman of CDA, the civic agency issued a press release stating, `With special efforts of the Punjab governor, electric buses will ply on routes between Islamabad, Hasanabdal and Fatehjang`.

It is relevant to note that CDA has 160 electric buses and a majority of them are operational.

Sources said due to a shortage of charging stations, around 20 buses are not operational. Currently, the CDA has 16 charging points at the Convention Centre and H-9.

However, 20 more charging points will be available within the next three months at a depot, which is being constructed Near Point. Once the charging station becomes operational, the civic agency will utilise all 160 electric buses.

The buses are owned by CDA`s National Radio Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC).

The CDA pays Rs306 to Rs331 per km as the fare besides logistical support such as bus stops, charging points and routes. The electric bus service has garnered huge support in Islamabad and is being hailed as the best in the country.