The Chief Minister's Office of Karnataka announced on Saturday, 20 June 2026 that the state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, has approved the procurement of 620 new buses to strengthen public transport across the state, along with a decision to open 11 electric bus depots under all transport corporations.

What Was Announced

The cabinet cleared the purchase of 620 buses, of which 400 will be deployed in rural areas and 220 allocated to the North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC). Alongside the bus procurement, the government decided to establish 11 electric bus depots spread across all state transport corporations, signalling a push toward fleet electrification. CM Shivakumar briefed the media after the cabinet session, detailing the decisions taken.

A separate infrastructure commitment was also announced: a fully equipped bus station at Sandur taluk headquarters in Ballari district will be constructed at a cost of ₹30 crore. Sandur, a taluk centre, has historically lacked modern transit infrastructure despite being a significant mineral-belt hub.

Policy Backdrop

Karnataka's move builds on a layered policy foundation. The state's EV Policy of 2017 set fleet electrification targets for state transport undertakings, and the central government's FAME-II scheme (2019) provided financial support for electric bus procurement by state road transport corporations. The 11-depot decision directly expands the charging and maintenance infrastructure needed to sustain an electric fleet at scale.

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has been the lead body overseeing multi-corporation coordination on electric mobility. The current approval consolidates procurement across all corporations under a single cabinet resolution, streamlining what has previously been a fragmented process.

Stakeholders and Impact

Rural commuters stand to benefit most immediately: the allocation of 400 of the 620 buses to rural routes directly addresses last-mile connectivity gaps in Karnataka's hinterland. For the NWKRTC, which serves districts in the northern and northwestern regions of the state, the addition of 220 buses represents a meaningful capacity boost for an underserved geography.

The ₹30 crore Sandur bus station is particularly notable as it targets a taluk-level town, signalling that the government's infrastructure push is not limited to tier-1 cities. Residents of Ballari district and surrounding areas are likely to see improved inter-district connectivity once the facility is commissioned.

What's Next

The immediate steps will involve tendering for the 620 buses and identifying precise locations for the 11 electric depots across the state's transport corporation network. Route rationalisation orders for rural services and any follow-up budget provisions will determine how quickly the fleet expansion translates into on-ground service improvements. Progress on the Sandur bus station construction timeline will also be closely watched by local stakeholders and district administration.