Chamarajanagar: Eco-friendly bus may soon be the next in thing at the Bandipur Reseve Forest of Gundlupet taluk of Chamarajanagar district.
As of now diesel buses are being used to take the tourists on safari, which will be done away with as soon as these eco-friendly buses are found fit for usage.
The department is ascertaining the pros and cons of using these buses that have been developed by a company based in Maharashtra. The biggest advantage of these beautiful eco-friendly buses is that it is noiseless and smokeless. The officials are skeptical about the functioning of these buses that have been so far used on smooth terrain only. Hence the vehicle will be first used on trial basis for some time and only when it is tested and adjudged fit for rough terrain, it will be introduced in Bandipur.
The 20-set bus that has been purchased at present bus can cover about 120 kms with four hours of charging. If the bus is found fit for usage in the reserve forest then 16-seater buses will be purchase by Jungle Lodges and Resorts, which is a government undertaking.