MP highlights electric bus proposal under PM e-Drive scheme

Warangal MP Dr. Kadiyam Kavya spotlighted Telangana’s proposal to introduce 2,800 electric buses under the PM e-Drive scheme during a Lok Sabha session on Tuesday.

The plan, submitted to the Ministry of Heavy Industries, aims to advance eco-friendly public transport across the state.

Dr. Kavya questioned whether the proposal included a Hybrid Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model - where buses are supplied by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) but operated and maintained by Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) staff to protect jobs.

In response, Minister of State for Heavy Industries Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma acknowledged receipt of the proposal but clarified that the scheme currently supports only the standard GCC model, with procurement handled through Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL).

She also sought clarity on support for electric vehicle (EV) retrofitting and access to the Payment Security Mechanism (PSM). The Ministry confirmed that retrofitting is not included under the scheme, making PSM access inapplicable.

Dr. Kavya’s intervention emphasized Telangana’s commitment to green mobility while advocating for employment safeguards, highlighting the need for flexibility in national EV policies to accommodate state-specific approaches.