Hyderabad Gets Good News from Centre: 2,000 Electric Buses Sanctioned
The Central Government has announced a significant development for the citizens of Hyderabad by allotting 2,000 electric buses to the city under the PM e-Drive initiative, aimed at promoting environmentally friendly public transportation. This decision was officially announced on Thursday by the Union Ministry of Heavy Industries. It is expected to strengthen Hyderabad’s public transport infrastructure and aid in pollution control.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Union Minister of Heavy Industries H. D. Kumaraswamy. The meeting focused on states including Telangana, Karnataka, Delhi, and Gujarat. As per an official statement from the Ministry, the current phase of the scheme includes the allocation of approximately 4,500 electric buses to Bengaluru, 2,800 to Delhi, 1,000 to Ahmedabad, 600 to Surat, and 2,000 to Hyderabad.
Speaking on the occasion, H. D. Kumaraswamy said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is now taking firm steps towards sustainable urban transportation. From Bengaluru to Delhi, cities are actively embracing electric buses to make public transport cleaner and more efficient.” He further added, “We are not only allocating electric buses but also shaping the future of India’s transportation system through innovation and environmental awareness.” Kumaraswamy emphasized the government's commitment to fulfilling the PM e-Drive promise through coordinated efforts between central and state governments.
The PM e-Drive programme aims to deploy a total of 14,028 electric buses over a two-year period from April 2024 to March 2026, with a total financial outlay of ₹10,900 crore. The Minister described the scheme as one of the largest national initiatives of its kind in the world. The government is committed to timely deployment of buses, operational readiness, and strategic partnerships with participating states.
To support the demand incentive under this scheme, the Ministry of Heavy Industries has also introduced e-vouchers for electric vehicle buyers. Additionally, ₹500 crore has been allocated for electric ambulances and another ₹500 crore for electric trucks under the PM e-Drive initiative. The scheme aims to encourage the use of electric ambulances for patient-friendly transport and to replace pollution-heavy trucks with electric alternatives.