Delhi may miss the biggest e-bus roll-out

The 2,800 electric buses allocated to Delhi under the PME-Drive scheme meant to electrify public transport hangs in the balance, as the city government has yet to meet a crucial condition under the incentive plan.

- Manas Pimpalkhare

Delhi has not fulfilled its payment security mechanism requirement under the scheme, which asks states and Union territories to create a direct debit mandate (DDM) with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Without fulfilling this condition, the city will not be eligible for the country’s largest e-bus tender for 10,900 buses under the ₹10,900-crore PME-Drive scheme.

Under the PM E-Drive scheme, DDM allows RBI to automatically deduct money from a state or UT’s account and ensure timely payments to the bus suppliers.