UP govt clears ₹50 cr for EV charging of UPSRTC buses in 19 districts
An official order issued on Tuesday directs installation of charging stations at UPSRTC bus depots in 19 districts within the 2025-26 financial year. The complete project cost is estimated at ₹100 crore, with each charging station priced at ₹5 crore. According to officials, 50% covers civil work while the remainder funds six chargers, a dedicated power line with transformer.
The Uttar Pradesh government has approved ₹50 crore to establish charging infrastructure across 19 districts, signaling an aggressive acceleration in the state’s plan to scale up electric buses from the current 200 to 5,000 over coming years.
UPSRTC currently operates around 200 electric buses only in regions with existing charging infrastructure: Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Ayodhya, Agra, Noida. (File photo)
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An official order issued on Tuesday directs installation of charging stations at UPSRTC bus depots in 19 districts within the 2025-26 financial year. The complete project cost is estimated at ₹100 crore, with each charging station priced at ₹5 crore. According to officials, 50% covers civil work while the remainder funds six chargers, a dedicated power line with transformer.
The government issued the order following a March 18 communication from Prabhu Narain Singh, UPSRTC managing director. Departments have been directed to ensure timely execution within prescribed standards.
The move seeks to strengthen the electric mobility ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh, enabling broader rollout of electric buses while reducing dependence on fossil fuels. By sanctioning projects across multiple districts, the state aims to expand EV infrastructure beyond major urban centres, creating a more uniform public transport network powered by cleaner energy.
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UPSRTC currently operates around 200 electric buses only in regions with existing charging infrastructure: Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Ayodhya, Agra, Noida.
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UPSRTC currently operates around 200 electric buses only in regions with existing charging infrastructure: Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Ayodhya, Agra, Noida.
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“At present we operate only around 200 EV buses in select regions but we have plans to gradually increase the number to 5,000 buses in the years to come. We have already floated tenders seeking to engage companies to run EV buses in partnership with the UPSRTC,” said Anil Kumar, general manager (operations).
All electric buses operating in the state are air-conditioned with fares identical to other AC buses run by UPSRTC. The buses have been supplied by three different companies.
19 districts approved for EV charging infrastructure funds
Brajendra K Parashar is a Senior Journalist with the Hindustan Times, based in Lucknow, with nearly three decades of experience covering governance, public policy, politics and development in Uttar Pradesh. Over the years, he has reported extensively on key sectors, including energy and renewable power, mobility and transport, road safety, agriculture and allied sectors and issues related to farmers, rural development, taxation under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and public administration. A seasoned political correspondent, Parashar closely tracks the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has covered every major election in Uttar Pradesh right from three-tier panchayat elections and urban local body polls to Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. He also reports regularly on the proceedings of the Uttar Pradesh Legislature, bureaucracy, governance, policy decisions and administrative developments with focus on their impact on public life. His reporting is known for its strong analytical approach, extensive use of official data. His areas of interests include investigative journalism, long-form political and policy analysis, data-driven reporting, elections and institutional reforms. Parashar holds a postgraduate degree in Political Science with First Division from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), followed by a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication from the same university. His inclination towards journalism began during his student days, when he regularly contributed letters to editors and articles to newspapers and magazines. In the mid-1990S, his essay, “Should India Switch Over to the Presidential Form Of Government?”, published in Politics India magazine edited by noted constitutional expert Subhash C Kashyap, was adjudged the best entry in a national competition. His work has received professional recognition, including the Hindustan Times Journalist of the Month Award for an impactful series on drinking water issues during the 2010 Lok Sabha election campaign. Originally from Kasganj in western Uttar Pradesh, Parashar is currently based in Lucknow where continues to report on politics, governance and public policy.
