Chhattisgarh to run 240 electric buses across four cities under PM-eBus Sewa scheme
Raipur
Chhattisgarh will introduce 240 electric buses across Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, and Korba under the PM-eBus Sewa scheme to modernize public transport and enhance urban connectivity.
The strategy was finalised during a high-level review meeting co-chaired by Sonmoni Borah, Principal Secretary, Urban Administration and Development Department, and Bhanu Pratap Singh Bhadauria, Director, Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
Sumeet Agrawal, Chief Executive Officer of the State Urban Development Agency (SUDA), stated that the Central government has sanctioned 240 e-buses for the state. The initiative aims to provide eco-friendly, modern public transit across major urban hubs.
Principal Secretary Sonmoni Borah and Director Bhanu Pratap Singh Bhadauria instructed officials to frame short-term and long-term route plans based on commuter demand, feasibility, and passenger density. They directed that routes must connect key public points, including schools, colleges, hospitals, markets, and government offices.
Officials were instructed to maintain clear public communication regarding bus routes, schedules, and operational fleets. The meeting set strict deadlines, directing departments to complete target tasks by 30 October and prepare operations ahead of the 1 November milestone.
The administration also plans to establish robust depot and charging infrastructure parallelly. Principal Secretary Borah tasked officials with securing land and getting necessary clearances from agencies, including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Indian Railways.
The state plans to deploy advanced technology, including centralized command and control systems, to enable real-time tracking of bus movements, passenger loads, and fleet efficiency. Developing bus stops through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models and introducing dedicated e-bus services for women commuters were also discussed.
Nilesh Mahadev Kshirsagar, Director of Urban Administration and Development, assured coordinated inter-departmental efforts to ensure smooth execution. Top officials, including CSPDCL Managing Director Bhim Singh Kanwar and municipal commissioners from Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, and Korba, attended the meeting.
