The Central Government has sanctioned 2,000 electric buses for Hyderabad under the PM e-Drive initiative.
The announcement was made by the Union Ministry of Heavy Industries on Thursday and marks a significant step in enhancing sustainable public transportation in the Telangana capital. The decision was finalised during a high-level review chaired by Union Minister of Heavy Industries H. D. Kumaraswamy, which focused on key urban centres including Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, and cities in Gujarat. As part of this phase of the scheme, Bengaluru is set to receive 4,500 buses, Delhi 2,800, Ahmedabad 1,000, Surat 600, and Hyderabad 2,000. Minister Kumaraswamy described the move as part of India’s broader transition toward clean, energy-efficient urban transport. “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is taking concrete steps towards greener mobility. From Bengaluru to Hyderabad, cities are adopting electric buses to make public transport more efficient and less polluting,” he said.
The PM e-Drive programme, with a financial outlay of ₹10,900 crore, aims to deploy 14,028 electric buses between April 2024 and March 2026. According to the Ministry, the allocation is not just about numbers but about accelerating India’s transportation transformation by blending innovation with environmental responsibility. Officials noted that coordination between central and state governments will be key to the timely rollout and maintenance of the electric fleet. To ensure the operational efficiency of the programme, the government is also implementing demand incentives through e-vouchers for electric vehicle buyers. Furthermore, ₹1,000 crore has been set aside for two additional components under the scheme—₹500 crore for electric ambulances and another ₹500 crore for electric trucks. The ambulance initiative aims to offer cleaner, patient-friendly alternatives, while the truck replacement plan targets a reduction in emissions from heavy-duty vehicles.
Hyderabad’s allotment is expected to significantly ease pollution levels in the city and improve the reliability of public transport. As urban populations rise and environmental concerns mount, the PM e-Drive programme positions itself as one of the world’s largest electric bus rollouts and a critical element in India’s climate commitments.
