Odisha has securing the fifth position in India for the adoption of electric buses (e-buses)

Bhubaneswar:28/8/25: Odisha has cemented its position as a national leader in sustainable urban transport, securing the fifth position in India for the adoption of electric buses (e-buses) with a fleet of 450 vehicles.

The state’s ambitious goal is to expand this fleet to more than 1,000 in the coming years, reinforcing its commitment to a cleaner and more commuter-friendly future.

The state’s push for green mobility places it just behind the frontrunners—Delhi (3,564), Maharashtra (3,296), Karnataka (2,236), and Uttar Pradesh (850). In the eastern region, Odisha has significantly surpassed its neighboring states, including West Bengal (391), Andhra Pradesh (238), Chhattisgarh (215), and Jharkhand (46). Nationwide, there are currently 14,329 e-buses in operation, with Odisha making a substantial contribution.

The success is a result of strategic planning by the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), which has been actively leveraging financial assistance from the Central Government’s schemes.

These include the PM-eBus Seva scheme, which supports the deployment of 10,000 e-buses on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, and the PM E-DRIVE scheme, which provides a total outlay of Rs. 10,900 crore to accelerate the adoption of various electric vehicles, including e-buses. The state’s expansion plans will soon extend services to Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Berhampur, and Angul.

To ensure seamless and efficient service, CRUT is implementing several technological advancements. Depots and terminals are being equipped with charging stations, and smart ticketing systems such as QR-based payments, NCMC cards, and app-enabled booking are being introduced. Alongside these infrastructure upgrades, CRUT is investing in crew training to deliver safe and reliable services.

Currently, e-buses primarily serve the cities of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri. The introduction of affordable AC rides has encouraged many commuters to switch from private vehicles to public transport, demonstrating that green initiatives can successfully align with public comfort and convenience.

Dr. Krushnachandra Mohapatra, the Minister of Housing & Urban Development, emphasized the government’s dual commitment to the environment and its citizens. “The expansion of e-buses is not just about technology—it is about providing dignified, affordable, and eco-friendly travel to every citizen,” he stated. He added that the endeavor is to build urban centers that are “cleaner, greener, and sustainable for future generations.”

The Principal Secretary of H&UD, Smt. Usha Padhee highlighted the importance of integrated planning, stating that e-bus services have become the “backbone of modern urban transport in Odisha.”

As Odisha continues to expand its e-bus fleet, it remains aligned with NITI Aayog’s national target of deploying 50,000 e-buses, contributing significantly to India’s climate commitments and meeting the growing transport needs of its urban population. The sustained efforts from CRUT, strong policy backing from the state government, and central support are positioning Odisha as a model state for green mobility in India