Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Mar 9: In a significant move towards sustainable transport and addressing the shortage of vehicles, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is preparing to introduce electric buses in rural areas. Drawing inspiration from the central government's 'PM e-Bus Sewa' scheme, the state is considering the implementation of the 'Karnataka Electrical Bus Program' (KEBP).
The initiative aims to complement the state government's 'Shakti' guarantee scheme, which offers free travel for women and has led to a massive surge in passenger traffic. Amid global concerns over fuel price volatility due to Middle East tensions, this shift to electric mobility is viewed as a strategic long-term step.
Although the project is in its nascent stages, the road transport corporation is working to give it a concrete shape soon. If implemented successfully with rural coverage, Karnataka could become the first state in the country to operate electric buses in its hinterlands.
Under the current proposal, the government plans to allocate 1,950 electric buses across the state in the first phase. A key requirement for the rollout is the identification of at least one acre of land at district or taluk centres to establish 'Green Units'. These units will function as dedicated charging and service stations for the e-buses.
According to the departmental plan, if an acre of land is secured, 20 e-buses will be assigned to that unit. Locations providing two to three acres could host up to 60 buses. Officials believe that using existing KSRTC land to set up these stations would expedite the process.
"The goal is to ensure that even remote villages have access to modern transport. By establishing these local green units, we can operate buses effectively within rural clusters, as well as in urban and taluk centres," an official stated.
The implementation of the 'Shakti' scheme has resulted in a shortage of buses across all divisions due to the unprecedented increase in female commuters. Transport authorities are finding it difficult to meet the daily demand for extra trips. Officials suggest that if district administrations and local representatives cooperate in providing land, the 'one bus per village' dream could soon become a reality.
While the central 'PM e-Bus' scheme focuses strictly on city limits—providing 100 buses each to cities like Mangaluru, Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Belagavi—the state’s KEBP aims to bridge the gap in rural connectivity. Charging station construction for the central scheme has already commenced in major cities including Tumakuru and Davanagere.