The Puducherry government is set to procure 75 electric buses under the PM e-bus scheme, promoting clean and sustainable public transportation.
Electric Buses Procurement Details
- CESL, on behalf of MoHUA, aggregated demand in January 2024.
- Puducherry eligible for 100 e-buses in the first phase.
Initiative Details
- Aimed at promoting clean public transportation through a PPP model.
- Puducherry plans to run 50 buses on inter-city routes and 25 within urban areas.
- Central government to provide subsidies for bus operations.
Scheme Benefits
- Subsidies of ₹24 and ₹22 per km for inter-city and urban routes respectively.
- Depot infrastructure development and power infrastructure upgrades included.
Payment Security Mechanism
- Implemented to protect e-bus suppliers in case of payment delays or other issues.
- Ensures suppliers are paid for their vehicles.
Future Plans
- Focus on bus priority infrastructure, multimodal interchange facilities, automated fare collection systems, and charging infrastructure.
Puducherry’s initiative to procure electric buses aligns with its commitment to sustainable transportation, benefiting both the environment and public health.
Source : thehindu
