Green drive: Karnataka to roll out 750 e-buses across 10 tier-2 cities
PM-eBus Sewa scheme
These buses are given on a rental basis to the state-run transport corporations. Replying to an unstarred question from Rajya Sabha member Veerendra Heggade in the ongoing Parliament session, Union minister of state for housing and urban affairs, Tokhan Sahu, informed that five cities-Mysuru, Hubballi and Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Belagavi, and Mangaluru-will get 100 buses each. Five medium-sized cities, i.e., Shivamogga, Vijayapura, Ballari, Davanagere, and Tumakuru, will get 50 buses each.
In his reply, the minister made it clear that as per the scheme guidelines, Udupi and Bengaluru cities are not eligible for the benefit.
State transport minister Ramalinga Reddy said that under the scheme, buses are not sanctioned to the state. "Instead, these buses are given to private firms, and we take them on a rental basis," he said.
Experts hope 750 buses to secondary cities will likely improve public transport infrastructure. "It is a good move to fight climate change," said Bhamy V Shenoy, an energy expert and civic activist from the city. "Hundred buses for a city like Mysuru is not enough. But it is a good beginning. E-buses are expected to attract young commuters who are now dependent upon private vehicles. KSRTC must utilise these buses to cater to unserved areas," he said.
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