Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, has requested Germany’s support for conducting a feasibility study on a trolley bus project connecting Pokhara, Butwal, and Bharatpur.

During a meeting with Germany’s Ambassador Udo Eugen Volz, Minister Ghising requested cooperation on the project’s feasibility, electricity supply management, operation of charging stations, and improvement of the transmission and distribution system.

The trolley bus system is technically feasible. This system uses overhead wires to supply electricity. Current technology also allows for battery-hybrid models, which can operate even over short-distance interruptions. In the past, trolley bus services were trialed in Kathmandu, but they could not be sustained continuously.

Is it feasible?

The roads and urbanization between Pokhara, Butwal, and Bharatpur have increased the long-term need for public transportation. However, structures such as road width, bridges, and overpasses will affect the design and cost of the overhead wires, influencing the project. High-voltage substations are required for electricity supply, making collaboration with the Nepal Electricity Authority essential.

Overhead wires and poles will be required. Additionally, traction substations will also be necessary. The estimated cost for establishing depots and charging units ranges from NPR 10–50 crore. The price of a single trolley bus is estimated to be between NPR 2 crore and NPR 14 crore, while the cost of a high-power charging station per unit is projected to reach up to NPR 14 crore.

The government estimates that the trolley bus project connecting Pokhara, Butwal, and Bharatpur can be implemented in four phases.

In the first phase, a pre-feasibility study will be conducted to assess route options, traffic load, road structures, substation feasibility, and electricity demand. In the second phase, detailed designs and financial models will be prepared, including plans for substations, pole installation, depot design, and the development of a public-private partnership model.

In the third phase, trial operations will be conducted on 10–20 kilometers of urban routes to evaluate cost-benefit aspects. In the final phase, full implementation will take place. During this process, phased expansion, development of local contractors, staff training, and maintenance management will also be carried out.

Since the project is environmentally friendly, it is expected that grants and loans could be made available from Germany, the European Union, the Asian Development Bank, and the World Bank. Additionally, involving the private sector in operating the buses and depots is anticipated to help make the project viable through a public-private partnership model. According to preliminary studies, the total project cost is estimated to reach around NPR 1,12,000 crore.

King Mahendra had negotiated with the Chinese government for a trolley bus system in 1972. During King Birendra’s reign, 22 trolley buses were imported in 1975 with a grant of 40 million rupees from China. These buses, which operated on a 13-kilometer route from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur, served 10,000 passengers daily.

The first trolley bus model in Nepal was the ‘Shanghai SK 541’. In 1997, an additional 10 new buses were donated by China. Over time, the equipment deteriorated and service declined. Regulatory weaknesses, constant disruptions, lack of maintenance, and theft of overhead wires led to the closure of the trolley bus service.

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