PM-eBus Sewa rollout planned for Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg and Korba; integrated route, depot, charging and digital monitoring systems to be developed
TFP Bureau, Raipur, August 25, 2026: Urban public transport in Chhattisgarh is set for a major transformation with 240 electric buses approved for operation across Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg and Korba under the Centre’s PM-eBus Sewa scheme.
A detailed strategy for the rollout of the buses was reviewed on Tuesday at a meeting chaired by Sonmoni Borah, Principal Secretary, Urban Administration and Development Department, along with Bhanu Pratap Singh Bhadauria, Director in the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Senior officials from the Urban Administration Department, SUDA and other agencies attended the meeting.
The proposed e-bus service is aimed at providing cleaner, modern and more efficient public transport while improving connectivity within the four cities.
Routes to be based on passenger demand
Borah and Bhadauria directed officials to prepare e-bus routes based on actual transport requirements and public convenience. The routes are to connect important destinations such as schools, colleges, hospitals, major markets, government institutions and other public utility centres.
Officials were instructed to prepare both short-term and long-term route plans and conduct phased route studies. Passenger volume, projected demand, distance and connectivity will be among the key parameters for assessing route viability.
Routes in high-traffic and high-demand areas will be prioritised following detailed studies.
Citizens to get easy access to route information
Borah stressed the need for making e-bus information easily accessible to the public. Citizens should be able to obtain details about the number of operational buses, routes and designated stops without difficulty.
He directed officials to prepare and disseminate route charts and other relevant information in an organised manner.
He also emphasised that route planning, bus operations, depots, charging stations, bus stops and command-and-control systems should be developed as an integrated network rather than as separate components.
City-specific requirements and available resources in Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg and Korba will be assessed and priorities fixed accordingly. Regular reporting and monitoring mechanisms were also stressed.
Women-specific bus service under consideration
The meeting also discussed preparations for launching a dedicated bus service for women. Officials were asked to examine routes and operational arrangements with a focus on safety and convenience for women passengers.
Borah directed that quality, operational viability and timely implementation should remain key priorities. Potential challenges related to land, depots, charging facilities, routes and operations should be identified in advance and resolved promptly.
Depots and charging infrastructure to support future expansion
Officials were directed to ensure that e-bus depots have adequate capacity and essential facilities, keeping in view the possibility of increasing the fleet in the future.
The requirements and availability of charging infrastructure are also to be assessed so that charging facilities are ready before the buses begin operations.
Bhadauria called for expediting site selection and land-related procedures for depots, charging stations and other essential infrastructure. He also stressed coordination with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Railways and other departments to secure necessary approvals and complete technical formalities within the stipulated timelines.
Real-time monitoring through technology
Bhadauria emphasised the use of modern technology and digital systems to ensure efficient e-bus operations.
Officials were directed to strengthen the command-and-control system and develop technology-driven monitoring mechanisms capable of providing real-time information on bus operations, routes, passenger numbers and other key operational parameters.
The meeting also covered human-resource requirements and operational models for the e-bus service, with emphasis on effective coordination between existing resources and the new system.
The meeting was attended by Urban Administration and Development Department Director Nilesh Mahadev Kshirsagar, SUDA CEO Sumeet Agrawal, CSPDCL Managing Director Bhim Singh Kanwar, Raipur Municipal Corporation Commissioner Sambit Mishra, Korba Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ashutosh Pandey, Bilaspur Municipal Corporation Commissioner Prakash Kumar Surve, NHAI Deputy General Manager Nitin Kumar Gupta and Ministry of Urban Affairs ASO Himanshu Jain, among other officials.
