ISLAMABAD: Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) Muhammad Ali Randhawa on Friday chaired a meeting at the CDA headquarters to discuss plans to shift public and commercial vehicles to electric alternatives.
The meeting also reviewed proposals to introduce digital advertisements on Metro and Electric Vehicle (EV) buses as well as their respective bus stations. Senior officials including Member (Admin), Member T&D, and representatives of Islamabad Bus Service attended the meeting.
Randhawa emphasized that this initiative represents a transformative step towards achieving a greener and more efficient public transport system in Islamabad. He highlighted that the adoption of electric buses for public and commercial use will not only modernize the city’s transport infrastructure but also significantly reduce its carbon footprint.
The Chairman directed to involve all relevant stakeholders to speed up the transition of commercial buses to electric. He also directed officials to find incentives that could accelerate the transition to electric mobility, focusing on environmental sustainability and minimizing the city’s carbon footprint.
A key point of discussion was the development of EV charging infrastructure. Emphasizing the critical role of infrastructure in the success of this initiative, Randhawa called for the introduction of new regulations to facilitate setting up of charging stations at petrol pumps across the city.
The CDA chairman also advocated integrating digital advertisements on EV buses and their stations. He noted that this step would not only increase revenue but also reduce dependence on subsidies. Additionally, he stressed the importance of designing digital screens to complement the aesthetics of the city.
The meeting concluded with a decision to support the transition of various institutions including schools, colleges and universities to electric buses. This initiative underscores CDA’s commitment to sustainable urban development and aims to position Islamabad as a leading model for clean energy transport in Pakistan.