Latest news with #PM-eBusSewa
Mint
24-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
India rolls out targeted air pollution control plans for 130 major cities
New Delhi: In a bid to tackle worsening air quality in India's major cities, the government has launched targeted clean air action plans across 130 cities with over 1 million residents each, minister of state for environment, forest and climate change Kirti Vardhan Singh said on Thursday. The city-specific plans, part of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), will target air polluting sources like soil and road dust, vehicles, domestic fuel, municipal solid waste burning, construction material, and industries, the minister told Parliament. Air pollution in India, especially in its big cities, is a major issue, and it is severely affecting public health and the overall quality of life. The government had launched the NCAP in 2019 to reduce air pollution. Source Apportionment (SA) studies conducted in cities under the NCAP reveals that dust from road and construction and demolition activities are the major sources of PM10 that contributes 40-50% to the pollution in most cities. SA is defined as a local study that determines the contributing sources to ambient particulate matter (PM) measured at monitoring stations. Under the NCAP, the cities have prioritized road improvement works, traffic decongestion, junction improvements, and greening of open spaces under the specific action plans, Singh said. Around ₹ 13,036 crore has been released for the 130 cities under NCAP from the start of FY20 to 20 July, 2025 towards implementation of various activities to control air pollution. Of this amount, ₹ 9,209 crore has been utilized by urban local bodies. Specific actions towards the control of industrial pollution are primarily being implemented by industries and the monitoring and enforcement of emission norms are being carried out by the state pollution control boards. To address vehicular pollution, the government has notified BS-VI emission norms for fuels, leapfrogging from BS-IV. The central government has also launched schemes such as PM E-DRIVE and PM-eBus Sewa to promote electric mobility. In order to control biomass burning in agricultural fields, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has framed guidelines to provide a one-time financial assistance for setting up of paddy straw-based pelletisation and torrefaction plants that may help address the supply chain issues and the issue of open burning of paddy straw in fields in north India. The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and adjoining areas (CAQM) has also issued directions for co-firing of 5-10% biomass with coal in thermal power plants located within 300 km of Delhi, and in captive power plants of industrial units located in NCR. Performance-based grants are also being released to urban local bodies of the earmarked 130 cities under NCAP through the Central Sector Scheme Control of Pollution and the 15th Finance Commission (XVFC) air quality grants for implementation of the activities of approved city action plans. The minister also rejected a private entity report,'World Air Quality Report 2024', which had ranked India as world's fifth most-polluted country. Singh said, as per report, 38% of data sources are from government agencies and the remaining 62% is from other agencies. The data used for analysis includes data generated through low-cost sensors (LCS), which is not used for regulatory purposes. The data from a variety of monitors and data sources may have a degree of error and uncertainty and is, therefore, prone to be misleading, the minister told Parliament.
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Green drive: Karnataka to roll out 750 e-buses across 10 tier-2 cities
In a major shift towards e-mobility, 10 tier II cities of the state will soon get e-buses under the 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.
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Karnataka gets 750 electric buses under PM-eBus Sewa scheme
) Karnataka has been allotted 750 electric buses under the Centre's PM-eBus Sewa scheme, but the government of Karnataka has been urging for direct subsidy instead of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) procurement model. In response to a question raised by Rajya Sabha MP D. Veerendra Heggade, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu stated in Parliament that the Central Government had approved 750 e-buses for Karnataka under the scheme. 'As per the demand received from the State of Karnataka, a total of 750 electric buses have been sanctioned for all 10 eligible cities of the State under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme. Bengaluru and Udupi are not eligible as per the scheme's guidelines,' he said. Launched on August 16, 2023, the PM-eBus Sewa scheme aims to strengthen public transport systems by deploying 10,000 electric buses across India through a PPP model. 'Deployment of electric buses under the scheme is subject to completion of work related to associated infrastructure (behind-the-meter power and civil depot infrastructure). A total of 7,293 buses have been sanctioned so far out of which 6,518 buses have been tendered,' Mr. Sahu said. In Karnataka, Belagavi, Hubballi-Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Mangaluru, and Mysuru have each been allocated 100 buses while the remaining five eligible cities have been sanctioned 50 buses each. City-wise allotment of buses under PM-eBus Sewa Scheme City Buses Belagavi 100 Hubballi-Dharwad 100 Kalaburagi 100 Mangaluru 100 Mysuru 100 Shivamogga 50 Tumakuru 50 Ballari 50 Vijayapura 50 Davanagere 50 Total 750 Source Ministry of housing and urban affairs However, Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has criticised the current PPP approach. He emphasised that it was far more straightforward to procure and operate buses during the UPA era. 'Earlier, the Centre contributed 50% of the cost while the State and transport corporations shared the remaining 50% equally,' Mr. Reddy recalled. 'But now, under the NDA government, the subsidy is not given directly to States. Instead, private companies that win tenders receive the funding, own the buses, and are responsible for drivers and maintenance. The State-run corporations are only responsible for deploying conductors and paying the operator on a per-kilometre basis,' he added. Mr. Reddy has urged the Central Government to revert to the earlier model by directly providing financial assistance to State transport corporations for a more transparent and efficient rollout. Karnataka plans to introduce a total of 14,750 electric buses during the financial year 2025-26. A senior official from the Transport Department said that these buses would be procured through a combination of schemes, including PM-eBus Sewa, PM e-DRIVE, and other externally aided initiatives. In addition to the e-buses, the State intends to add 1,000 diesel buses under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model, which involves hiring private operators to run State-owned buses.
Hindustan Times
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Govt floats tender for 10.9K electric buses under PM e-drive scheme
The Union government has floated its largest ever tender to deploy 10,900 AC and non-AC buses under the Prime Minister e-drive scheme, in a big push towards the electrification of public bus fleets in five Indian cities, including the national capital. Govt floats tender for 10.9K electric buses under PM e-drive scheme Bengaluru, infamous for its traffic snarls, has got the highest allocation with 4,500 buses, with Delhi getting 2,800 buses. The three other cities chosen under the scheme so far are Hyderabad (2,000), Ahmedabad (1,000) and Surat (600). The tender is floated at a time when Indian cities are struggling with a low number of public buses leading to overcrowding and private vehicle usage. A recent report by consultancy firm Kearney found that there are an average of 0.26 buses per 1,000 residents in the top four megacities compared to the threshold of 0.6. The buses will be of 9m and 12m length with yearly assured service of 64,800km and 72,000km, respectively, for 12 years, according to the tender document. The tendering process is being conducted by the Union ministry of power, new and renewable energy-owned Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL) under a Gross Cost Contract model, as was done for the PM-eBus Sewa scheme meant for smaller cities without formal public transport. The expression of interest from state government authorities for the scheme was sought from November 2024. According to the policy document, an assessment matrix has been developed to evaluate the performance of states in promoting EV charging infrastructure development. This matrix includes parameters across three main categories: existing EV policies, EV penetration, and enablers for deploying EV charging stations. The scheme operated by the Union ministry of heavy industries was approved by the Cabinet in September 2024 for procuring 14,028 e-buses along with 2.479 million e-2-wheelers, and 316,000 e-3-wheelers. The drive towards electrification in the automotive sector is in line with India's net-zero target by 2070. The PM e-drive scheme was preceded by the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME) scheme.
New Indian Express
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
Odisha to expand e-bus network, launch Ama Bus service in five new cities
BHUBANESWAR: Going ahead with its plan of promoting green and sustainable public transport in urban areas, the state government will launch electric buses (e-buses) under Ama Bus service in five more cities and further expand the service in Berhampur city. It has initiated the procurement of 200 more e-buses for the purpose. Officials in Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), that manages the Ama Bus service, said the e-buses will be introduced in Keonjhar, Baripada, Angul, Jharsuguda and Sambalpur, while the existing fleet of e-buses under Ama Bus service in Berhampur will be increased. The e-bus service is available in the Capital region and Berhampur at present. 'Tender has been invited recently for the introduction of 200 more electric buses under Ama Bus service. The service will start in the identified cities once the procurement process is complete,' said CRUT managing director N Thirumala Naik. CRUT has planned to purchase medium-sized electric buses for expansion of its e-bus service. The agency has decided to purchase 50 e-buses each for Berhampur and Sambalpur and 25 e-buses each for Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Angul and Jharsuguda. The fresh procurement will increase CRUT's existing Ama Bus fleet from 560 to 760. The e-bus fleet will also go up from 180 to 380. With Berhampur already having 20 e-buses, the fresh procurement will take the number of e-bus fleet in the city to 70. Officials said the bus operator to be finalised for procurement, operation and maintenance of these buses, will be engaged for at least a decade. Apart from the 200 e-buses, they will also be managing 400 e-buses soon under the PM-eBus Sewa scheme. Under the scheme, the Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) department plans to run at least 100 e-buses each in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Rourkela and 50 in Sambalpur. They added that implementation of the proposal has been delayed owing to legal hurdles and is expected to be implemented soon after the matter is resolved. The Centre will procure and handover the e-buses to CRUT under the scheme. Sustainable urban mobility
