CM Samrat Choudhary Inaugurates PM-eBus, AC and Non-AC Buses in Bihar
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Saturday, 25 July 2026, presided over the live inauguration of PM-eBus Sewa buses along with deluxe air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses for the state, marking a significant step in Bihar's public transport modernisation drive.
Context
Chief Minister Choudhary shared the live broadcast of the launch event on his official social media handle, captioning it 'PM-e Bus, Deluxe A/C evam Non A/C bason ka lokarpan karyakram' — loosely translated as 'inauguration programme for PM-eBus, Deluxe AC and Non-AC buses.' The event signals the formal induction of a new fleet into Bihar's public transport network, combining centrally funded electric buses with state-procured conventional vehicles.
The inauguration was livestreamed, reflecting the government's intent to make the rollout publicly visible and accessible to citizens across the state.
Policy Backdrop
The PM-eBus Sewa scheme was approved by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in 2023 with a mandate to deploy 10,000 electric buses across 169 cities over a decade. The scheme operates on a viability gap funding model, where the central government underwrites operational costs to make electric bus services financially viable for state transport corporations.
Bihar is among the states that have moved to align their urban transport upgrades with this central framework. The inclusion of deluxe AC and non-AC buses alongside the electric fleet suggests a layered approach — serving both premium and budget commuters while the electric infrastructure matures.
Multiple states have conducted similar fleet induction ceremonies under the PM-eBus Sewa umbrella since 2024, as part of India's broader push to cut urban emissions and improve last-mile public connectivity.
Stakeholders and Impact
Urban commuters in Bihar stand to benefit most directly, with the expanded fleet expected to ease overcrowding on existing routes and offer cleaner, more comfortable travel options. State transport corporations will be responsible for day-to-day operations and are expected to publish utilisation data in the months ahead.
The introduction of air-conditioned deluxe buses also signals an attempt to attract riders who currently rely on private vehicles or app-based cabs, potentially reducing congestion and private vehicle load in Bihar's urban centres.
What's Next
Attention will now turn to the phased induction of buses across additional districts in Bihar, beyond the initial launch cities. The state transport department is expected to release route maps and operational schedules in the near term.
Performance and ridership reports from the first phase will be closely watched as a benchmark for further procurement decisions and for assessing whether Bihar's urban transport ambitions are translating into measurable improvements on the ground.