Odisha to Introduce 600 E-Buses to Promote Green Mobility

Bhubaneswar: In a major push towards eco-friendly and sustainable urban transport, the Odisha government has decided to introduce 600 new electric buses across various urban centres in the state. The initiative aims to promote green mobility while meeting the growing demand for cleaner public transport.

The state requires around 1,000 e-buses to support its expanding transportation needs. Of these, 200 buses will be procured by the state government, while the remaining 400 will be supported by the Central government, Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mohapatra said.

The first phase will see the deployment of 25 e-buses in Sambalpur, followed by a phased rollout in Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Berhampur, and Angul. The services will be operated by the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) under its “Aam Bus” initiative, which focuses on providing safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly public transport.

Odisha has already achieved a remarkable milestone by securing the 5th position nationally in e-bus operations. Across India, a total of 14,329 e-buses are in operation under flagship schemes such as PM-E Bus Sewa and PM-E Drive, from which Odisha is actively benefiting.

“With the rollout of 600 e-buses, Odisha is taking a decisive step towards greener cities and smarter urban transport,” Dr Mohapatra said, emphasizing the state’s commitment to sustainable development.

This initiative is expected to enhance the public transportation system, reduce pollution, and create a cleaner and healthier environment for urban commuters.