Cabinet Approves 'PM-eBus Sewa' Scheme; 10,000 E-buses Will Be Deployed Across Cities
The union cabinet has approved ‘PM-eBus Sewa’ for augmenting city bus operation under which 10,000 e-buses will be deployed across cities in the country.
Briefing reporters after a meeting of the union cabinet, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said the decision will improve public transport in cities and is also in line with India’s objectives concerning climate change.
“PM e-Bus Seva has been given approval. Rs 57,613 crores will be spent on this. Around 10,000 new electric buses will be provided across the country,” Thakur said.
on the announcement, Nishant Arya, Vice Chairman and MD of JBM Auto, said “The Cabinet’s decision to allocate Rs 57,613 crore for deployment of 10,000 electric buses across major cities as also Union Territories, hill states and the northeast region will truly take electric buses to the grassroot level pan India. This is a momentous decision that sees e-mobility as a necessity for much of India and especially at a time when the country has committed towards being Net Zero by 2070 and is presiding G-20. This initiative will now really propel green public transportation and will aid the development and expansion of an EV ecosystem across the country. Finally, the momentum gained from this move will catapult India as the EV capital of the world.”
The scheme will cover cities of 3 lakh and above population and priority will be given to cities not having organised bus services.
Sharing his thoughts, Arindam Lahiri, CEO of ASDC, said "With the recent approval of the PM e-bus initiative by the Cabinet and Central Government, ASDC's role becomes even more pivotal. Our collaborations with industry leaders, training partners, and academia exemplify our commitment to elevate skills in this burgeoning sector. An example of our initiatives is the Electric Mobility Nanodegree Programme, which provide a comprehensive six-month program tailored for individuals with an engineering or diploma background. We have launched a unique capacity building programme on e-bus fire safety at all levels of manpower at various Transport Corporations across the country, in partnership with GIZ GmbH and CESL, and support from Ministry of Heavy Industries. Our commitment to staying abreast of industry advancements ensures that our workforce remains at the forefront of innovation, making strides towards a greener and more sustainable future."
Mahesh Babu, Chief Executive Officer of Switch Mobility, said "With a commendable one-third reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2009, India's commitment to sustainable transportation, backed by increased renewable energy and expanded forests, sets an inspiring example as India aims to achieve its Net Zero goals by 2070. While FAME II norms enabled the transition towards mass adoption of e-buses in metros and larger cities, Prime Minister Modi's e-Bus Sewa will lead to accelerated adoption of e-buses in Tier-II and III cities. This will not only help in the electrification and digitalisation of bus journeys in all corners of India but also help in job creation and significant reduction in CO2 emissions."
Inputs from ANI
