PM-eBus Sewa: A Leap Towards Sustainable Urban Transport

The Big Picture

The Centre stands on the brink of revolutionizing public transportation, emphasizing eco-friendliness. Upcoming guidelines for the PM-eBus Sewa scheme are set to underpin a substantial budget of approximately ~57,613 crore.

Main Points

Scheme's Overview

Announcement Date: August 16.

• Objective: Infusion of 10,000 e-buses across 169 cities.
• Operational Mode: A decade-long public-private partnership (PPP).
• Oversight Body: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Budget Insights

Scheme Budget: A hefty ~57,613 crore.

• Centre’s Part: A slice of ~20,000 crore, with states pooling in the remainder.

Roles & Responsibilities

E-Bus Procurement: The mantle falls to Convergence Energy Services (CESL).

Wider Goal: CESL supports the larger vision of introducing 50,000 e-buses by 2027 under the NEBP.

Current E-Bus Scenario

FAME-II Result: From the approved 7,210 e-buses, only 2,435 have hit the roads.

Sales Data: Since 2014, 816,356 buses have been sold; e-buses account for a mere 0.63%!

Distinct Features

Operational Scope: PM-eBus Sewa targets cities with 300,000 residents, contrasting FAME-II’s focus on those with 4 million.

• Incentive Model: A kilometer-based bonus is activated after a six-month operational success.
• Sourcing Rule: Both schemes emphasize sourcing 50% of raw materials locally.

Benefits to State Transport

Subsidy Origin: The Centre.

Payment Responsibility: Lies with the states.

Golden Opportunity: State transport units can tap into the central ‘payment security fund’.

More Features

Financial Security: A ~4,126 crore payment security fund is set to assist with 38,000 e-bus procurements.

Green Drive: The scheme prepares to fuel the Green Urban Mobility push, designating funds for charging hubs in 181 cities.

Conclusion

The PM-eBus Sewa isn’t merely about green transport; it embodies India’s urban green dream. As the nation gears up for this electric shift, SRIRAM's IAS encourages you to stay informed and engaged. Dive deeper with us on our website and connect on Telegram, Instagram, and Facebook.