Regional News

Mangaluru Welcomes Its First Private Electric AC City Bus on Mangaladevi Route

By Editor

Posted on February 26, 2026

Mangaluru Welcomes Its First Private Electric AC City Bus on Mangaladevi Route

Mangaluru : While the city of Mangaluru awaits the rollout of 100 sanctioned government electric buses, a private operator has taken the lead by introducing the city’s very first private electric bus (EV). Set to be inaugurated on February 26, the bus will begin its regular daily operations on Route No. 27, traveling from State Bank to Mangaladevi via Attavar after a week-long trial. This initiative comes as a relief to commuters facing the rising summer heat, as the new EV bus is fully air-conditioned, promising a cool and comfortable journey.

The bus owner, Dilraj Alva, shared that the vehicle’s body was designed in Pune and comes with a five-year battery guarantee. The bus is equipped with modern features such as automated doors and will utilize the city’s public charging infrastructure. Alva noted that this move fulfills the vision of his late father, Narayan Alva, who wished to introduce air-conditioned buses to their fleet. Driven by an eco-friendly perspective, the family decided that transitioning to electric vehicles was the most sustainable way to honor that legacy.

Currently, Dilraj Alva operates five buses under the ‘Ganesh Prasad’ banner on the Mangaladevi route, which were notably the first in the city to feature automated doors. Looking ahead, the owner intends to convert his entire fleet into electric buses to support the nationwide push for environmentally friendly transportation. This pioneer project not only aims to reduce the carbon footprint in the district but also sets a new standard for passenger comfort in Mangaluru’s private public transport sector.