TFP Bureau, Raipur, April 22, 2025: In a major step toward promoting sustainable and eco-friendly public transport, the Chhattisgarh government has ramped up preparations for the launch of 240 electric buses across Raipur, Bilaspur, Korba, and Durg-Bhilai. These e-buses are being introduced under the Central Government’s ambitious Pradhan Mantri E-Bus Seva Yojana.
To ensure smooth and efficient implementation of the service, a one-day technical training session was held in Naya Raipur’s Vishram Bhavan for officials from the Urban Administration Department and the State Urban Development Agency (SUDA). The training focused on technical readiness, operational frameworks, and capacity development.
The initiative, led by Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Administration Minister Shri Arun Saw, aims to provide Chhattisgarh citizens with a cost-effective and pollution-free mode of transport. Addressing officials, Shri Saw emphasized timely and efficient deployment of the buses and directed departments to ensure smooth execution of the scheme.
During the workshop, experts from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs shared key technical inputs on e-bus operations, including depot infrastructure, payment systems, tender processes, and monitoring mechanisms.
SUDA CEO Shashank Pandey highlighted that the initiative marks a significant milestone for urban transport in Chhattisgarh. “A total of 240 e-buses will be deployed — 100 in Raipur, 50 each in Durg-Bhilai and Bilaspur, and 40 in Korba. Additionally, Rs 67.40 crore has been sanctioned for civil and electrical infrastructure, including depot construction and charging facilities,” he said.
City-wise infrastructure allocation includes:
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Raipur: Rs 27.23 crore
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Durg-Bhilai: Rs 17.75 crore
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Bilaspur: Rs 11.45 crore
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Korba: Rs 10.97 crore
Shri Ram Paunikar, Deputy Team Leader at the Urban Transport Institute, underscored the critical role of e-buses in reducing vehicular emissions — a major contributor to urban air pollution. Experts from WRI India, IUT, and CESLshared insights on integrated tenders, service contracts, payment models, and performance-based monitoring systems.
The session saw active participation from senior officials including Additional CEO of SUDA Shri Dushyant Kumar Raisth, and engineers and municipal officers from the four project cities. The state government aims to roll out the e-buses in phases, positioning Chhattisgarh as a frontrunner in green urban mobility.
The training session marks a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to offer cleaner, smarter, and more efficient public transport systems in line with national sustainability goals.
