New Delhi: The Centre’s PM e-Bus Sewa scheme has crossed a significant milestone, with more than one lakh passengers using the electric bus services every day across 23 cities, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
More than 500 electric buses are currently operational under the scheme. The government expects daily ridership to rise to nearly 20 lakh once the full fleet of 10,000 electric buses becomes operational.
The PM e-Bus Sewa programme is aimed primarily at strengthening public transport in cities with limited or inadequate organised bus services. Unlike major metropolitan centres such as Delhi and Mumbai, the scheme places a strong emphasis on smaller cities, including those where organised city bus operations have traditionally been absent or insufficient.
Infrastructure development accelerated
Alongside bus deployment, MoHUA has accelerated the development of supporting infrastructure. More than 120 electrical infrastructure projects have been sanctioned, while over 500 km of high-tension (HT) transmission lines are being developed to ensure reliable power supply to bus depots.
Officials said infrastructure-related delays have affected deployment in some cities, with electricity connections and associated infrastructure emerging as major challenges rather than the availability of buses.
The government is now working to address these bottlenecks and ensure the necessary infrastructure is ready as more cities join the programme.
More than 500 circuit km of HT line infrastructure and depot construction covering over 300 acres of land have also been sanctioned for the deployment of electric buses.
Smaller cities take centre stage
The scheme is making inroads into cities that are developing organised public transport systems for the first time. Bhavnagar in Gujarat and Alwar, Bhilwara and Bikaner in Rajasthan are among the cities getting organised bus services under the programme.
According to officials, nearly 80% of passengers in these cities are expected to shift to electric buses, marking a major transition towards cleaner urban mobility.
The expansion of PM e-Bus Sewa is expected to improve public transport access in smaller urban centres while supporting the government’s wider push towards electric mobility, sustainable transportation and lower-emission public transit.
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