Visakhapatnam: Tirupati is set to receive a significant boost in sustainable urban transport as the Union government's Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), has issued a fresh tender for 3,604 electric buses. Of these, 300 buses have been earmarked for Tirupati.
Background and Previous Allocations
Prior to this fresh allocation, the Centre had already sanctioned 750 electric buses for Andhra Pradesh, which are expected to be deployed across major urban centres including Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada. The initiative is part of India's push towards large-scale electrification of public transport under flagship schemes such as the PM e-Bus Sewa and the PM e-Drive schemes.
Impact on Tirupati
For Tirupati, the introduction of 300 electric buses is expected to transform urban and peri-urban connectivity, reduce noise and air pollution, and improve the passenger experience in this important religious and tourism hub. The new buses will contribute to cleaner air and a quieter environment, benefiting both residents and the millions of pilgrims who visit the city each year.
Implementation and National Context
In the prior allocation, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has already initiated implementation steps, including letters of award and agreements with selected operators, enabling a faster rollout of electric buses across the state. This fresh round is part of a larger national aggregation effort under PM E-DRIVE, under which tenders have already been issued for 13,800 of the total 14,028 sanctioned buses.
CESL and EESL CEO Akhilesh Kumar Dixit stated that the programme is designed to make public transport cleaner, more efficient, and economically viable through competitive aggregation and standardised procurement. The initiative aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and promote sustainable mobility solutions across India.
With the addition of these 300 buses, Tirupati joins a growing list of Indian cities adopting electric public transport, aligning with the national goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. The tender process is expected to attract multiple bidders, ensuring competitive pricing and high-quality vehicles.
