Delay in Approval for 4500 Electric Buses Sparks Fresh Debate in Bengaluru

A fresh political debate has emerged in Karnataka after allegations that the state government is yet to approve the deployment of 4500 electric buses sanctioned for Bengaluru under the Central Government’s PM E Drive initiative. The delay has drawn criticism as commuters continue to struggle with overcrowded buses and inadequate public transport services across the city.

Bengaluru South Member of Parliament Tejasvi Surya traveled on a BMTC bus from Katriguppe to Banashankari to interact directly with passengers and understand their daily commuting challenges. During the journey, several commuters shared concerns about long waiting times, irregular bus schedules and severe overcrowding during peak hours.

Many passengers said buses often fail to arrive on time, making it difficult for them to reach offices, colleges and other destinations as scheduled. Some commuters also pointed out that after a long wait, multiple buses on the same route sometimes arrive together, reducing the efficiency of the service.

According to Tejasvi Surya, the Central Government has already approved 4500 electric buses for Bengaluru, including around 4100 standard electric buses and 400 air conditioned electric buses. However, he claimed that the proposal is still awaiting approval from the Karnataka Cabinet because the state government is required to contribute part of the project cost.

The MP argued that the delay is affecting lakhs of daily commuters who depend on Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation services. He questioned why the state government was allegedly delaying investment in public transport while funding other large infrastructure projects.

Tejasvi Surya also said he had already raised the issue in Parliament, where the matter received a response from Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy. He maintained that improving public transport should be treated as a priority, particularly as Bengaluru continues to witness rising passenger demand.

Passenger numbers on BMTC have increased significantly since the introduction of the Shakti scheme, with nearly 4.5 million people reportedly using the service every day. Despite this growing demand, the existing fleet of around 6800 buses is often considered insufficient to meet commuter requirements, especially during busy hours.

Supporters of the proposed expansion believe adding thousands of electric buses would improve service frequency, reduce overcrowding and provide a cleaner and more sustainable transport network for the city. Electric buses are also expected to lower emissions while reducing operating costs over time.

The Karnataka government has not officially responded to the latest criticism regarding the approval process. If the proposal receives clearance, the addition of the new electric buses could significantly strengthen Bengaluru’s public transport system and offer much needed relief to millions of daily commuters.