Karnataka Secures 750 Electric Buses Under PM-eBus Sewa Initiative

Rapid Summary:

• Karnataka has been allotted 750 electric buses under the Center’s PM-eBus Sewa scheme, launched on August 16, 2023.
• Electric buses are sanctioned for ten eligible cities with allocations as follows:

– Cities receiving 100 buses: Belagavi, Hubballi-Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Mangaluru, and Mysuru.
– Cities receiving 50 buses: Shivamogga, Tumakuru, Ballari, Vijayapura, and Davanagere.

• bengaluru and Udupi are not eligible per the scheme’s guidelines.
• Deployment of e-buses depends on completing associated infrastructure (power and depot facilities).
• Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy criticized the PPP model adopted by the Centre under this scheme. He advocated returning to an earlier subsidy system where States directly received funds for public transport projects.
• Karnataka aims to introduce a total of 14,750 electric buses during FY 2025-26 using various schemes like PM-eBus Sewa and others. Additionally being planned is a deployment of 1,000 diesel-run buses via private operators.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The allotment of electric buses under the PM-eBus Sewa scheme represents a strong step towards sustainable public transport in urban areas. However, concerns regarding its PPP procurement approach raised by Karnataka officials demand careful consideration; some argue that direct subsidies could ensure quicker implementation while giving more control to State corporations.Balancing federal directives with local preferences might enhance efficiency.

Karnataka’s broader push to considerably scale its total fleet-introducing over fourteen thousand e-buses-reflects its aspiring commitment to renewable energy transitions in transportation but also highlights possible logistical challenges requiring well-coordinated infrastructure investment.

Read more at The Hindu.