Ludhiana has been selected to receive 100 nine-metre electric buses under the central government's PM e-Bus Sewa scheme, marking a major step to revive public bus transport in the city after the previous city bus service, launched in 2011, was discontinued in 2024 due to traffic congestion and operational issues.
Two e-bus depots planned
The scheme also includes the development of two e-bus depots to support parking, charging, maintenance and daily operations. Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ojaswi Alankar told The Tribune that the Ghora Road Depot will cater to 70 electric buses, while the Hambran Road Depot will accommodate the remaining 30. Together, these facilities will form the operational backbone of the electric bus network.
Ludhiana is among the first cities in Punjab to receive electric buses under this scheme. Besides Ludhiana’s allocation of 100 buses, Amritsar will get 100, Jalandhar 97, and Patiala 50.
Seven routes covering 152 km
According to the operations plan prepared by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), seven e-bus routes have been proposed across Ludhiana, covering a combined network length of around 152 km. The network is expected to serve nearly 53 sq km, or at least 33% of the municipal area, connecting residential neighbourhoods, industrial hubs and other key parts of the city.
The seven proposed routes are: Elysian Tower to Tajpur village; Ludhiana Zoo to Dhandari Kalan via Giaspura; Hambran Bus Depot to Sahnewal; Ayali Octroi to Dana Mandi Road; Chuharpur to Meharban; Hambran Bus Depot to Mangli Octroi; and Jodhewal Basti Chowk (Rahon Road) to Dhandari.
Service expected from August
Officials said the e-bus service is expected to begin from the Hambran Road depot in August, offering residents a more affordable, reliable and environmentally friendly mode of public transport. Department sources said the site has now been cleared and the remaining work is likely to be completed within one to two months.
Each bus will have a seating capacity of around 30 passengers and modern on-board amenities. Authorities are hopeful that the electric bus service will encourage more commuters to shift from private vehicles to public transport, easing traffic bottlenecks in key areas.
“When the e-buses are rolled out, they are expected to ease traffic bottlenecks in the key areas while providing residents with a reliable public transport option,” Ojaswi said.
