Hyderabad: The Telangana government will phase out diesel buses and introduce electric buses to transform Hyderabad into a clean and green city, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar announced on Friday. As part of the Centre’s PM-eBus Sewa scheme, Hyderabad will receive 2,000 electric buses out of the total 15,000 being rolled out in nine cities.
To review operational challenges and infrastructure needs, Minister Prabhakar held a meeting at the Secretariat with Special Chief Secretary Vikas Raj and TSRTC Managing Director Nagi Reddy.
He confirmed that the central government has allocated a subsidy of ₹35 lakh per bus. Since tenders have already been floated, the discussion focused on critical roadblocks such as infrastructure gaps, technical constraints, and specific local challenges in implementing the scheme.
PM-eBus Sewa scheme to boost Hyderabad’s electric fleet
Prabhakar highlighted that Telangana led the country in electric mobility by deploying 40 electric buses in March 2019. Under the 2023 procurement plan, TSRTC has prepared to add 1,010 more electric buses—510 inter-city and 500 city units. The agency has already issued letters of award. Currently, 775 electric buses are running, and another 275 are scheduled to join the fleet by March 2026.
He further stated that the Telangana EV policy supports adoption by offering tax benefits across categories, including two-, three-, and four-wheelers, as well as buses, trucks, and tractors.
EV infrastructure delays and performance gaps identified
The minister pointed out delays in setting up charging stations, blaming private operators for not adhering to tender terms. While local EV firms have offered some operational support, the transition has faced hurdles. Delays in bus deliveries, frequent technical breakdowns, and poor performance compared to diesel buses have caused concern. He also observed that electric buses recorded more cancellations and accidents.
In response, the government plans to ensure that high-tension (HT) power connections are installed at selected depots without delay. The minister also asked companies to speed up charging infrastructure and vehicle delivery timelines.
To strengthen service quality, he instructed EV firms to hire qualified drivers and technical staff. He emphasized the need for electric buses to achieve the same standards of reliability and safety as diesel buses. Senior RTC officials, EV manufacturers, and government functionaries attended the review meeting.
హైదరాబాద్ నగరంలో కాలుష్య రహిత రవాణా సేవలు అందించేలా రాష్ట్ర ప్రభుత్వం అడుగులు.
ఇప్పటికే ఎలక్ట్రిక్ వాహనాలను ప్రోత్సహించడానికి ఈవీ పాలసీ
PM e-drive కింద హైదరాబాద్ నగరానికి 2 వేల ఎలక్ట్రిక్ బస్సులు
PM e-drive పథకం కింద e-బస్ ల ఆపరేషన్స్ సజావుగా సాగేలా ఎలక్ట్రిక్ బస్సుల కంపెనీల… pic.twitter.com/8BDztREXyG
— Ponnam Prabhakar (@Ponnam_INC) October 31, 2025