Citizens will benefit from affordable transportation: Sao

RAIPUR,CG,INDIA: The Government of India has approved the deployment of 240 e-buses across various cities in Chhattisgarh under the PM E-Bus Service Scheme.

These e-buses will serve the capital city Raipur, Bilaspur, Korba, and Durg-Bhilai. The scheme aims to enhance public transportation infrastructure in urban areas. The allocation includes 100 e-buses for Raipur, 50 each for Bilaspur and Durg-Bhilai, and 40 e-buses for Korba.

Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Administration and Development Minister Arun Sao announced that the central government will provide financial assistance for the acquisition and operation of these buses. Additionally, funds will support the development of related infrastructure, such as bus depots in the cities.

The PM E-Bus Service Scheme will introduce three types of e-buses: standard, medium, and mini. The allocation is based on the population of the cities, with Raipur receiving 100 medium e-buses, Durg-Bhilai 50 medium e-buses, Bilaspur 35 medium and 15 mini e-buses, and Korba 20 medium and 20 mini e-buses.

Sao emphasized that the e-bus services are expected to enhance air quality and contribute to environmental preservation by reducing carbon emissions. The scheme also aims to provide citizens with a comfortable, energy-efficient travel option.

The scheme’s guidelines stipulate that the central government will select the agency responsible for purchasing and operating the buses. Central assistance will be based on the number of kilometres the buses operate, with funding adjusted proportionately for fewer kilometres. Cities will also be evaluated based on their performance, with reports on bus operations required every three months. To ensure transparency and proper fund allocation, the scheme will include a third-party audit.