Sudhanshu Shekhar
The Indian Army is set to procure 114 electric buses by 2025, advancing green initiatives and sustainable transportation for troops. This significant move aligns with the Government of India’s directive on zero carbon emissions and marks a pivotal moment in the Indian Armed Forces’ journey toward eco-friendly transportation solutions.
Electric Buses for Troop Transportation
The Indian Army plans to deploy 114 electric buses, each with a 40-seater capacity and an endurance of 250 kilometres, primarily in plains and semi-hilly areas. Currently undergoing trials, these buses are part of a broader plan to introduce 60-70 electric buses, 400 electric cars, and 425 electric motorcycles across 30 stations and 150 establishments by the end of 2025.
Commitment to Green Initiatives
Officials in the Indian Army highlight that this shift towards electric buses will foster innovation within the defence sector and set a precedent for other government agencies and industries. This initiative demonstrates the Army’s commitment to combining national security with environmental stewardship.
Sustainable Practices to Combat Climate Change
Solid Waste Management
The Indian Army has launched the “Apashisht Mukt Sainya Abhiyan” (AMSA) to make the army landfill-free by March 2027. This initiative promotes waste segregation at the source, recycling, composting, and eco-friendly disposal methods, with an investment of approximately 550 crores across all military stations.
New Thal Sena Bhawan
The construction of the new Thal Sena Bhawan incorporates green building principles such as energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management. The use of sustainable materials and innovative technologies, including fly ash bricks, tree transplantation, solar energy harnessing, rainwater harvesting, and solid waste treatment to generate compost, minimizes environmental impact.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
On March 21, 2023, the Indian Army became the first government entity to sign an MoU with NTPC Renewable Energy Limited for green hydrogen-based microgrid power plants. A pilot project at Chushul will provide clean electricity to troops. A hydrogen fuel cell bus introduced through an MoU with IOCL also underscores innovation in sustainable transport solutions.
Solarization and Afforestation
The Indian Army has completed around 70 solar projects, generating a cumulative capacity of approximately 85 MW. Solar power plants have been installed at high-altitude locations like the Siachen Glacier. Large solar projects on vacant defence land are also underway. In celebration of India’s 75th Independence Day, the Indian Army undertook large-scale afforestation drives, planting over 1.35 million trees using traditional and scientific techniques like ‘Miyawaki.’
Conclusion
The Indian Army’s green initiatives, including the procurement of electric buses, solid waste management, green building practices, hydrogen fuel cell technology, and afforestation, demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. These efforts contribute to a greener future and set a standard for other sectors to follow.
Image source: Internet
Disclaimer: Educational purpose blog with no commercial use intended.
Read More: Tathastu Media
For Lifestyle Content: Tathastu Lifestyle
