New Delhi: On World Environment Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off 200 electric buses in Delhi, expanding the city’s electric public transport infrastructure under the Centre’s Green Viksit Bharat initiative. The electric buses, developed and operated by PMI Electro Mobility, will run on 30 designated routes across the capital.
Government Ties Mobility Push with Environmental Campaign
The launch event was held at Bhagwan Mahavir Vanasthali Park, where the Prime Minister also planted a Banyan sapling as part of the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, a recent initiative aimed at encouraging citizens to plant trees in honour of their mothers. The move symbolically connects the Centre’s green mobility agenda with public participation in environmental stewardship. According to officials, this symbolic gesture is part of the government’s attempt to align policy implementation with citizen engagement on climate and biodiversity issues.
Electric Buses Expected to Lower Urban Emissions
With this deployment, PMI’s electric bus fleet has crossed 2,500 units across 31 cities. Company estimates suggest these buses could collectively reduce around 250,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions each year, adding up to more than 3 million metric tons over their operational lifespan. The shift to electric buses is part of a broader strategy to reduce fossil fuel dependence and urban air pollution in metro cities. Delhi, one of India’s most polluted urban centres, is a key focus of such transitions.
Citizen Engagement through Seed Card Distribution
In line with the tree-planting campaign, PMI Electro distributed 10,000 biodegradable seed cards to event attendees. Each card contains either Basil or Wildflower seeds and is designed for home planting. Citizens were invited to plant the seeds and share their participation on social media. While this move aims to boost public engagement, experts note the real impact will depend on long-term behavioural shifts.
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