Hans News Service Vijayawada

AndhraPradesh is stepping up efforts to strengthen electric mobility infrastructure under the Centre’s PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme, with the state aiming to emerge as a model for green public transportation, according to special chief secretary to the Chief Minister K Vijayanand.

Chairing a virtual review meeting at Vidyut Soudha here on Saturday, along with APSRTC In-charge vice-chairman and managing director M T Krishna Babu, Vijayanand reviewed progress in electricity infrastructure and charging facilities being developed for electric buses under the scheme.

He said the initiative would significantly improve sustainable urban transport systems while supporting environmental protection and modernising public transport in the state. The government led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is according priority to green mobility and clean energy initiatives, he added.

Under Tender-II of the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme, the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs has sanctioned 750 electric buses for Andhra Pradesh, covering 11 cities and 12 depots. Tirupati has also received a special allocation of 300 electric buses under CESL Tender-III.

Of the 750 buses, 621 are 12-metre buses and 129 are 9-metre buses. They will operate in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur, Nellore, Kurnool, Kakinada, Rajamahendravaram, Kadapa, Amaravati, Tirupati and Anantapur.

Vijayanand said the government is simultaneously creating Behind-the-Meter (BTM) charging infrastructure across depots to ensure uninterrupted bus operations. The Central Sanctioning and Steering Committee approved financial assistance of Rs 79.98 crore against a total project cost of Rs 89.99 crore for high-tension power connectivity, charging stations and electrical infrastructure works.

He said substantial progress had been made in coordination with APTransco and discoms, while the Centre released Rs 17.86 crore for BTM infrastructure development in Simhapuri, Gajuwaka, Kakinada, Kurnool and Anantapur regions.The tender process for low-tension infrastructure at all 12 depots has been completed and Letters of Acceptance were issued on May 5. Krishna Babu directed officials to speed up pending electrical works to ensure timely completion of the project.