Belagavi: Belagavi’s public transport system is set for a major upgrade, with the Centre approving 100 electric buses and the required infrastructure under the PM-e Bus Seva scheme.According to the office of Rajya Sabha MP Iranna Kadadi, the approval was confirmed during the budget session of Parliament in New Delhi. Kadadi raised a question on the status of electric bus services for Belagavi, to which Union minister of state for housing and urban affairs Tokhan Sahu provided official details.
The minister informed Parliament that the centre sanctioned Rs 6.8 crore for setting up a control room and related infrastructure in Belagavi. Supporting facilities, such as charging points, depot infrastructure, and technical systems required for the electric bus service, were also approved.The initiative aims to modernise the city’s public transport network through cleaner and sustainable mobility solutions.Meanwhile, 750 electric buses were approved for 10 cities in Karnataka, with the Centre sanctioning Rs 77 crore for depots and other infrastructure development, Kadadi said in a release.The release also noted that under the Smart City project, Belagavi developed 12.3km of smart roads, including pedestrian-friendly stretches and dedicated cycle tracks. In addition, the NHAI ring road project is being taken up to ease traffic congestion, with the tender process for the first phase under way and DPR preparation in progress for the remaining phases.
