Andhra Pradesh Pushes Ahead With Major E-Bus Expansion Across 11 Cities

Andhra Pradesh is accelerating its transition towards clean and sustainable public transport , with the State government fast-tracking infrastructure development under the Centre’s flagship PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme .

Senior officials on Sunday reviewed the progress of power infrastructure and charging facilities required for the rollout of electric buses across the State. K. Vijayanand , Special Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, said the project is being implemented on priority to promote green mobility , reduce urban pollution and strengthen modern public transport systems.

During a virtual review meeting held along with APSRTC In-Charge Managing Director M.T. Krishna Babu , officials were instructed to complete all pending infrastructure works within the stipulated timelines to ensure the smooth launch of the e-bus services.

Under Tender-II of the scheme floated by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Andhra Pradesh has been allotted 750 electric buses . These buses will operate from 12 depots across 11 major cities , including Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur, Nellore, Kurnool, Kakinada, Kadapa, Tirupati, Rajamahendravaram, Amaravati and Anantapur.

Of the sanctioned fleet, 621 buses are 12-metre models , while 129 are 9-metre buses designed for urban operations. In addition, the temple city of Tirupati has separately received an allocation of 300 more e-buses under Tender-III through Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) .

To support uninterrupted operations, the government is simultaneously developing “Behind the Meter” charging infrastructure at all depots with the approval of the Central Sanctioning and Steering Committee. The overall infrastructure project is estimated at ₹89.9 crore , out of which the Centre has sanctioned ₹79.9 crore towards high-tension power connectivity, charging stations, electrical networks and depot-level power management systems.

Officials said ₹17.8 crore has already been released for infrastructure works in areas such as Simhapuri, Gajuwaka, Kakinada, Kurnool and Anantapur , with funds transferred to AP Transco and the respective DISCOMs in March.

The State government said high-tension connectivity works are progressing rapidly in coordination with AP Transco and power distribution companies. Meanwhile, the tender process for low-tension infrastructure across all 12 depots has also been completed, and works commenced after the issuance of the Letter of Acceptance on May 5.

Expressing confidence over the project’s execution, Vijayanand said coordinated efforts between APSRTC , the Union Housing Ministry, AP Transco and DISCOMs would help complete the ambitious e-mobility initiative on schedule.

He noted that the large-scale deployment of electric buses would not only strengthen sustainable urban transportation in Andhra Pradesh but also position the State among the country’s leading adopters of green public mobility solutions .