India is aggressively pushing green transition in mobility. The latest addition to green mobility is a thrust to add 10,000 e-buses in 169 cities.
The initiative is a part of the ‘PM-eBus Sewa’ scheme under the public-private partnership (PPP) model which was approved by the Union Cabinet. The scheme which has two segments — augmenting city bus services in 169 cities and green urban mobility initiatives in 181 cities, will continue till 2037.
Talking to reporters, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur, said, “The scheme would have an estimated cost of ₹ 57,613 crore out of which ₹ 20,000 crore will be provided by the central government and the balance will be borne by states.”
Ten thousand e-buses will be deployed under the PPP model, but priority will be given to those cities which do not have an organized bus service, he said. Infrastructure will also be upgraded in 181 cities under green urban mobility initiatives, he said.
Giving a break-up of the provision, Mr Thakur informed 50 buses will be earmarked for cities with less than 5 lakh population, 100 buses for populations of 5 lakh to 20 lakh, and 150 buses for 20 to 40 lakh people.
More buses would be provided to those cities which will scrap old buses. The buses would be procured, operated and maintained under the PPP model and central assistance would be provided under the scheme, he said.