New Delhi: The Government of India is all set to launch a five-year Bharat Urban Megabus Mission under which it will roll out 100,000 electric buses in all million plus cities of the country. The urban mobility mission, that will be launched with an expense of around Rs 1.75 lakh crore, aims at introducing electric buses and supporting infrastructure like bus stops, terminals, and depots.
In addition to this, the mission will also focus on creating 5,000 kms of pathway for cycling and walking. The urban mobility mission will be launched next year and will be implemented till FY2029-30. The government aims to popularise and increase use of public transport over private vehicles. To note, there are about 65 million plus cities in India.
Aim to increase public transport mode share to 60%
Sources aware of the matter said that launch of these non-polluting e-vehicles in all million plus cities of India is aimed at increasing public transport use share to 60 per cent of all motorised trips by 2030. It further aims to increase it to 80 per cent by 2036, and non-motorised trips like walking and cycling to at least 50 per cent of all urban trips by 2030.
The Centre also aims to encourage public to opt cycling as a mode of transport as it can help in bridging the gap between bus stops and work places or houses. To make cycling a convenient option, the mission would allocate funds for creation of cycling tracks and providing cycle-on-hire. Data released by the ministry of housing and urban affairs highlighted that more than 56 per cent of trips in Indian cities are under 5 km in length. The mobility mission aims to make these trips non-motorised by introducing cycling as an option on such routes.
Bharat Urban Megabus Mission: Budget, timeline, other details
As per official sources, Rs 1.75 lakh crore will be allocated for the mission. This includes Rs 80,000 crore as viability gap funding for bus operations for five years, and Rs 45,000 crore to create and upgrade supporting infrastructure.
“The aim is to make public transport the preferred mode of transport and walking and cycling attractive for everyone. The states three key objectives of the mission are to reduce air pollution, improve public health and boost the economy,” said a senior official of ministry of housing and urban affairs, as quoted by ET.
