Karnataka Cabinet Clears 4,500 Electric Buses for Bengaluru Under PM E-DRIVE Scheme

In a major push toward sustainable public transportation and urban traffic mitigation, the Karnataka Cabinet has approved a proposal to procure 4,500 electric buses for the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). The initiative, executed under the Central government's flagship PM E-DRIVE scheme, represents the largest-ever fleet expansion for Bengaluru's public transit network. Under the approved model, tenders have been awarded to six bus manufacturing companies, which will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the vehicles, while ownership will remain with the state government. The state government is projected to spend approximately ₹600 crore annually on the program, with cumulative expenditure estimated at around ₹12,000 crore over a 20-year operational period. The new e-bus fleet will comprise 3,800 twelve-meter buses (including 3,500 non-AC and 300 AC units) and 900 nine-meter buses designed to navigate narrower city routes and feeder lines. Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh noted that while the massive fleet expansion will significantly improve connectivity across the capital, the state government is also considering a limited revision of bus fares to mitigate operational losses faced by state transport corporations.