Lucknow: The state cabinet on Monday cleared a plan to add 250 new air-conditioned electric buses to the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) fleet in the 2026-27 financial year. The state govt has approved a budgetary provision of Rs 400 crore for the procurement to support cleaner and more efficient intercity and regional travel.As per the proposal, UPSRTC will purchase 100 electric buses with a 50-seat capacity and 150 electric buses with a 41-seat capacity. The total estimated cost for procuring the 250 buses is around Rs 425.5 crore. While govt will provide Rs 400 crore, the remaining expenditure of about Rs 25.5 crore will be met by UPSRTC from its own resources.The decision is also linked to efforts to curb air pollution in the National Capital Region. In line with directions issued by Commission for Air Quality Management, only CNG, electric and BS-6-compliant vehicles will be allowed to enter Delhi from Nov 1, 2026. Increasing the electric fleet is expected to help ensure that bus services operating between Uttar Pradesh and Delhi remain compliant with the new norms.Officials said the induction of electric buses would improve connectivity to major religious and tourist destinations in the state, offering passengers a modern, comfortable and eco-friendly option. The fleet expansion is also expected to create jobs for drivers, conductors and maintenance staff, while boosting ancillary employment in roadside services.
