The long-pending plan to introduce electric buses in Belagavi under the Pradhan Mantri E-Bus Seva Yojana has been shelved, with the government cancelling the entire electric bus procurement process. Instead, the State has decided to purchase diesel-powered buses, dealing a setback to hopes of cleaner public transport in the city.
Despite Belagavi being among the 11 cities in Karnataka selected for the electric bus scheme, the project has failed to materialise even years after the proposal was submitted to the Central government. Along with Belagavi, cities such as Mysuru, Mangaluru, Davanagere, Shivamogga, Tumakuru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Ballari and Vijayapura were identified for the rollout.
Under the scheme, the North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) had placed a demand for 210 electric buses, including 100 buses for Belagavi and 110 for Hubballi-Dharwad. The proposal was forwarded to the Centre in 2024, and the tender process had reached an advanced stage.
The Central government’s plan aimed to promote electric mobility in 169 cities across the country through a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with an estimated cost of nearly ₹20,000 crore. The project proposed the deployment of 10,000 electric buses nationwide, with a total project outlay of ₹57,163 crore, including central subsidies. As per the 2011 Census norms, the buses were to operate for a period of 10 years in cities with a population exceeding three lakh.
In Belagavi, preparations had already begun, with a dedicated space identified at the City Bus Stand for the installation of charging infrastructure. However, the project has now been cancelled due to battery-related issues, technical defects, rising maintenance costs and an increasing number of accidents, according to official sources.
Government sources said that the overall performance and operational experience of electric buses has not met expectations, prompting the decision to halt further procurement and instead focus on diesel buses. With this, Belagavi’s chances of receiving 100 electric buses have effectively come to an end, pushing back the much-awaited e-bus service by at least another year.
Bus Shortage Worsens in Belagavi
The cancellation comes at a time when Belagavi is already facing an acute shortage of city buses. With an estimated shortfall of nearly 100 buses, the transport corporation has been unable to start new routes and has been forced to curtail services on several existing routes.
Around three years ago, nearly 50 buses were introduced in Belagavi by modifying old BMTC city buses at a cost of ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh per bus. However, these buses frequently break down, causing inconvenience to commuters. Over the past three years, Hatch buses have continued to form the backbone of the city’s public transport system.
With the city’s population growing, road network expanding and passenger numbers rising steadily, there is an urgent need to strengthen Belagavi’s public transport system. For now, however, commuters will have to wait longer for new buses.
Source: Sakal