New Delhi, 16 May

The State is set to receive electric buses in a "phased and prioritised manner" under the Centre's flagship PM E-Drive Scheme, as announced by Union Heavy Industries Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday.

The Ministry of Heavy Industries has received a formal proposal from the State government, which highlighted the urgent need for improved urban public transport systems in major cities. The State's Transport Minister, Ramalinga Reddy, presented this request, emphasising the importance of enhanced mobility solutions.

Kumaraswamy assured the State government of the Centre's full support, stating that the allocation process is already in progress. "I will ensure that Karnataka receives all due support from the Government of India," he affirmed, reiterating the government's commitment to transforming public transport under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The initiative aims to allocate over 14,000 electric buses to nine major cities, with a financial outlay of Rs 10,900 crore for the two-year period from 1 April, 2024, to 31 March, 2026. Discussions have also focused on associated infrastructure, including the establishment of charging stations, bus depots, and vehicle maintenance systems. Officials from both the Union and State governments are exploring implementation models to ensure a swift rollout across identified urban clusters, according to a statement.