The Telangana government is taking major steps to provide pollution-free public transport in Hyderabad. Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar held a key review meeting at the Secretariat with Special Chief Secretary Vikas Raj and RTC MD Nagireddy. They discussed challenges and infrastructure needs under the PM e-Drive scheme, through which 2,000 electric buses will be introduced in Hyderabad. The central government has announced ₹35 lakh subsidy per bus and issued tenders on November 6.
The state government aims to replace diesel buses with environment-friendly e-buses to make Hyderabad a clean and green city. Telangana was the first state to introduce electric buses in 2019 with 40 units. The TGSRTC has planned to add 1,010 more buses under the 2023 procurement plan, including 510 intercity and 500 city buses. Currently, 775 electric buses are in operation, with the remaining 275 expected by March 2026.
Officials reviewed issues such as delayed delivery, charging infrastructure, and maintenance challenges. Some operators failed to meet tender conditions, affecting e-bus performance and reliability. The state assured full cooperation to ensure smooth implementation of the PM e-Drive project.
Authorities emphasized timely delivery, quick charging setup, and skilled driver training. The state also plans to establish high-tension power connections at selected depots to ensure efficient e-bus operations across Hyderabad. Representatives from RTC and e-bus manufacturing companies attended the meeting.
