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The Karnataka government has formally requested the allocation of electric buses under the PM E-Drive initiative, a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at promoting clean and sustainable urban transport.
Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy submitted the proposal to the Ministry of Heavy Industries, citing the growing need to strengthen public transport in major cities across the state.
A statement by Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy stated that he has assured the state of full support from the Centre. “Karnataka will definitely receive buses under PM E-Drive,” he said, following internal discussions within the ministry. He confirmed that the allocation process is already underway and buses will be provided in a phased manner, based on priority.
The PM E-Drive scheme aims to deploy 14,028 electric buses across nine major Indian cities. The project has a budget outlay of ₹10,900 crore and is scheduled to be implemented between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2026.
“14,000 electric buses are to be allocated to 9 major cities under the PM E-Drive initiative. Discussions between the Union and State governments have also covered associated infrastructure, including charging stations, bus depots, and vehicle maintenance systems. Officials from both sides explored implementation models to ensure rapid rollout across identified urban clusters,” the statement stated.
Published – May 17, 2025 08:42 am IST
