Preparations are moving at a rapid pace to completely transform the landscape of public transport across various urban centers in Rajasthan. In the near days ahead, a large fleet of modern electric buses will be seen plying the roads in a total of nine cities, including the capital city Jaipur along with Jodhpur, Kota, and Ajmer. This initiative aims to provide residents with an improved public transportation facility for traveling smoothly from one corner of the city to another. Additionally, it is expected to help curb the heavy dependence on traditional diesel buses and significantly reduce air pollution levels in urban areas. Under the central government's prominent PM e-bus service scheme, a total of 1150 electric buses have been officially sanctioned for these nine cities across Rajasthan.
Allocation of Buses Across Different Cities
During the initial phase of this scheme, 675 electric buses were approved for eight major cities in the state. Later on, following the clearance for additional vehicles, this total number increased to 1150. Among these approved units, the highest number of 550 buses has been allocated to the capital city Jaipur. Meanwhile, Jodhpur has been granted 125 buses, Ajmer and Kota will receive 100 buses each, and Bikaner is slated to get 75 electric buses. Furthermore, smaller cities including Bhilwara, Alwar, Udaipur, and Sikar will each receive 50 electric buses to enhance local mobility.
Expansion of Depots and Operations in Jaipur
Focusing specifically on the capital city, JCTSL has already received a total of 103 electric buses so far. Out of these, 58 buses are actively operating from the Bagrana depot, while preparations are underway to soon flag off the remaining buses from the Todi depot. Beyond this, under the budget announcements for 2025-26, administrative procedures are actively moving forward to acquire an additional 450 electric buses and 50 double-decker electric buses specifically for Jaipur.
Construction of New Depots and Charging Stations
Continuous charging facilities and dedicated depots are vital prerequisites for the smooth daily operation of electric buses. Acknowledging this requirement, e-bus depots have already been set up in Jaipur at Bagrana, Todi Mod, and Sanganer. In parallel, land has successfully been allotted for brand new depots at Ralavta near Goner, Khatwada on Ajmer Road, and Achrol on Delhi Road. Developing the required infrastructure at these locations will greatly simplify the day-to-day management, parking, and regular upkeep of the entire fleet.
Heavy Investment in Charging and Depot Infrastructure
The central government has sanctioned a substantial amount exceeding 60 crore rupees specifically for developing high-capacity charging stations and electrical power infrastructure within these electric bus depots. Simultaneously, more than 53 crore rupees have been cleared for civil infrastructure works across the depots. This financial allocation will strengthen the parking, charging, and maintenance frameworks, ensuring that the electric buses remain operational on a consistent daily basis without technical bottlenecks.
Enhanced Passenger Safety and Modern Amenities
The newly introduced electric buses come equipped with advanced safety features, including CCTV cameras, panic buttons, and several other security mechanisms. These additions will go a long way in ensuring a safer commuting environment, particularly for women passengers. At the same time, authorities are placing immense emphasis on delivering a comfortable public travel experience tailored for senior citizens, students, and specially-abled individuals. The overarching vision of the state government is to build a robust transport ecosystem that guarantees secure, accessible, and environmentally friendly travel for urban residents in the coming years.
