In the new era, authorities are looking for alternatives which are either eco-friendly or require less fossil fuel. In the current scenario, the Central Government of India is deploying e-buses across the country. Additionally, reducing the use of diesel and petrol-run buses. Under the PM e-Bus Sewa scheme, 3,600 e-buses will be deployed in some states and union territories.
10 States & UTs To Get 3,600 e-Buses
A bus that is powered by electric motors is called an electric bus. Electric buses have the option of receiving power from an external source or storing it on board. Under the PM eBus Sewa initiative, states and Union territories including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Bihar, and Jammu & Kashmir will be the first to receive electric buses.
In light of this, the Centre has released the first request for proposals (RFP) for the development of related electric and civil infrastructure as well as the acquisition, delivery, operation, and maintenance of 3,600 electric buses under the programme.
The Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) has issued a tender document. The document states that there is a limit of 2,520 units on the total number of cumulative buses that can be awarded to one bidder. More than 45 communities will use the e-buses that were purchased.
Interestingly, 1,453 e-buses are scheduled to arrive in Maharashtra, 425 in Gujarat, and 400 in Bihar. In addition, 350 buses will be sent to Odisha, 347 to Punjab, 200 to each of Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana, 100 to Chandigarh, 75 to Puducherry, and 50 to Meghalaya.
The paper states that 150 e-buses will be distributed to cities with populations of 2-4 million, 100 e-buses to cities with populations of 1-2 million, and 50 e-buses to cities with populations under 500,000. According to the document, this RfP has been designed for the PM-eBus Sewa’s GCC-wide deployment of 7 m, 9 m, and 12 m electric buses.
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PM E-Bus Sewa Initiative
In August, the Union Cabinet approved the ₹57,613 crore PM-eBus Sewa. It aims to enhance urban mobility and reduce carbon emissions from public transport. In a press conference following the Cabinet meeting, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur said that 10,000 electric buses would be introduced in 100 cities under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. According to a government statement, cities without a structured bus service will receive priority.
According to the MoUHA secretary, the final number of cities covered will depend on how many apply for the competition. He also stated that cities with a population of more than four million will not be included in the scheme. This means the nine largest cities in India.
The Union Ministry of Heavy Industries’ Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles programme already covers these cities. According to the minister, the plan will take into account both present and future transportation requirements of Indian cities as well as environmental issues.
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Comment below and tell us what are your thoughts about this initiative.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia
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