Rajasthan electric buses launched under PM e-Bus Sewa: 1,150 e-buses for 8 cities
Synopsis
Rajasthan has launched electric buses for the first time, with CM Bhajan Lal Sharma flagging off 47 e-buses across Jaipur and Bhilwara under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme. With 1,150 buses eventually earmarked for eight cities and a Diwali deadline for the first 675, this is the state's most ambitious public transport overhaul in years — and a direct test of whether central scheme timelines translate into on-ground delivery.
Key Takeaways
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma flagged off 29 electric buses in Jaipur and virtually launched 18 in Bhilwara on 20 June .
This marks the first-ever electric bus service in Rajasthan .
A total of 1,150 electric buses have been allocated for 8 cities — 675 centrally sanctioned and 475 additionally approved.
The first batch of 675 buses is targeted to be operational by Diwali .
Buses feature air-conditioning , CCTV cameras , and emergency panic buttons , with specific provisions for women and differently-abled passengers.
The state also plans 555 additional urban e-buses and 50 double-decker electric buses for tourism.
Rajasthan entered a new era of urban mobility on Saturday, 20 June as Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma flagged off 29 electric buses for Jaipur under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme and virtually inaugurated 18 electric buses for Bhilwara — marking the first-ever deployment of electric bus services in the state. The launch, held at Amar Jawan Jyoti in Jaipur, sets in motion a plan that will eventually bring 1,150 electric buses across eight Rajasthan cities.
Scale of the Rollout
Eight cities — Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Kota, Bikaner, Bhilwara, Alwar, and Ajmer — have been selected under the scheme. The Centre has sanctioned 675 electric buses for these cities, with an additional 475 e-buses approved, bringing the state's total allocation to 1,150 electric buses. The first batch of 675 buses is expected to be fully operational by Diwali.
Chief Minister Sharma also announced plans to introduce 555 electric buses for urban transport services and 50 double-decker electric buses specifically for tourism, signalling a broader state-level push beyond the central scheme.
What the Central Scheme Provides
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August 2023, the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme extends support for depot construction, charging infrastructure, and operational requirements to participating cities. Rajasthan's inclusion underscores the scheme's reach into large non-metro urban centres that have historically lacked structured electric public transport.
Passenger Safety and Amenities
The new buses are equipped with air-conditioning, CCTV surveillance systems, and emergency panic buttons. Chief Minister Sharma specifically highlighted the safety provisions for women, students, senior citizens, and differently-abled passengers. 'These buses will particularly benefit women, students, senior citizens, and differently-abled passengers. CCTV cameras and other safety features have been installed to enhance passenger security, especially for women,' he said.
In a symbolic gesture, Sharma purchased a ticket and rode the electric bus from Amar Jawan Jyoti to the State Hangar, experiencing the service firsthand before addressing the crowd.
Environmental and Political Context
'Our government is committed to providing modern, safe, and environment-friendly public transport facilities. This initiative will become an important pillar in realising the vision of a Developed Rajasthan by 2047,' Sharma said. He also cited the state's Hariyalo Rajasthan Campaign, under which nearly 20 crore saplings have reportedly been planted so far.
The event was attended by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs Kalicharan Saraf and Gopal Sharma, Rajasthan Chief Secretary V. Srinivas, JCTSL Chairman Ravi Jain, and senior officials. In Bhilwara, BJP MLAs Udaylal Bhadana and Ashok Kothari joined the programme via video conferencing.
With the full fleet of 1,150 buses still months away, the rollout's real test will be whether operational timelines — particularly the Diwali deadline for the first 675 buses — hold across all eight cities.
Point of View
Which have had EV fleets running for years. The 1,150-bus target is credible on paper, but the Diwali deadline for 675 buses across eight cities simultaneously is aggressive, and depot and charging infrastructure readiness will be the real bottleneck. The political optics are clear: the BJP government is framing this as a 'double-engine' dividend, but the scheme's success will ultimately be measured by ridership numbers and fleet uptime, not inauguration ceremonies.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme?
The PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme is a central government initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August 2023 to accelerate electric mobility in urban transport. It provides support for depot construction, charging infrastructure, and operational costs to participating cities.
How many electric buses will Rajasthan get under the scheme?
Rajasthan has been allocated a total of 1,150 electric buses — 675 sanctioned by the Centre and an additional 475 approved thereafter — spread across eight cities: Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Kota, Bikaner, Bhilwara, Alwar, and Ajmer.
When will the electric buses be fully operational in Rajasthan?
The first batch of 675 electric buses is expected to be operational by Diwali, according to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. The remaining buses are part of a phased rollout.
What safety features do the new electric buses have?
The buses are equipped with CCTV surveillance systems, emergency panic buttons, and air-conditioning. These features are intended to improve passenger security, particularly for women, students, senior citizens, and differently-abled passengers.
Which cities in Rajasthan are covered under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme?
Eight cities have been selected: Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Kota, Bikaner, Bhilwara, Alwar, and Ajmer. The launch event on 20 June covered Jaipur and Bhilwara as the first two cities to receive buses.
