J&K to get 200 additional e-buses
Jammu and Kashmir is set to receive 200 additional e-buses under the PM e-Bus Sewa for both Jammu and Srinagar, according to officials.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired the first meeting of the recently constituted UT Level Steering Committee (UTLSC) to review the measures taken by the Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD) for the deployment of these e-buses.
A spokesperson stated that the Chief Secretary examined the requirements for infrastructure and operational modalities necessary to run these buses in the twin cities. He inquired about the costs involved in developing depots, setting up charging stations, and operating the public transport system on a per-kilometer basis.
Dulloo also sought details on the infrastructure and expenses covered under central assistance. He advised officials to explore alternative funding sources, including the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), to reduce the financial burden on the local government.
Additionally, he reviewed plans for establishing depots at Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu and Bemina in Srinagar. He directed the Finance Department to assess the funding requirements for operating these buses to ensure timely financial allocation.
Emphasising the need for swift implementation, Dulloo urged the Finance and H&UDD departments to complete formalities such as opening bank accounts and submitting necessary undertakings to facilitate seamless progress on the scheme.
Earlier, Principal Secretary of the Finance Department, Santosh D. Vaidya, provided insights into the estimated costs of operating the buses, which are projected to be around Rs 42 crore annually based on prior experience with similar vehicles in Jammu and Srinagar.
During the meeting, Commissioner Secretary of H&UDD, Mandeep Kaur, informed attendees that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) had been prepared for the development of depot infrastructure in Jammu, estimated at Rs 16.72 crore, along with Rs 8.51 crore for “Behind-the-Meter Power Infrastructure,” which includes a 6.6-megawatt substation.
Similarly, the Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) has prepared a DPR for depot development, costing Rs 14.50 crore, while the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has prepared a DPR for behind-the-meter power infrastructure, valued at Rs 5.78 crore. These DPRs have been prepared in accordance with scheme regulations and have been approved by the Central Steering Committee (GoI) for execution.
Providing details about the scheme, CEO of Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL), Devansh Yadav, stated that the department will procure 25 units of 12-meter buses and 75 units of 7-meter buses for Jammu. Additionally, Srinagar will receive 20 units of 12-meter buses and 80 units of 9-meter buses under the PM e-Bus Sewa scheme.
It was further noted that the Central Assistance (CA) for e-bus operations in urban areas will be provided on a per-kilometer basis under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for 10 years or until March 2037, whichever is earlier.
The assistance rates will be Rs 24/km for 12-meter buses, Rs 22/km for 9-meter buses and Rs 20/km for 7-meter buses. Additionally, 100% central assistance will be provided for behind-the-meter power infrastructure, while 90% assistance (up to Rs 20 crore) will be granted for depot infrastructure.
The total operational cost of the e-bus fleet in Jammu is estimated to be Rs 628 crore over 10 years, with Rs 158 crore in subsidies and expected earnings of Rs 167 crore. Similarly, Srinagar’s operational costs are projected at Rs 686 crore, with Rs 177 crore in subsidies and Rs 167 crore in earnings, leaving a revenue gap of Rs 625 crore to be funded by the UT government over the next decade.
