**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to a parliamentary question regarding diversification activities and the revival of electric bus manufacturing at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) Trichy. The answer, provided on December 16, 2025, outlines BHEL Trichy's diversification into new sectors, clarifies its past involvement in electric bus manufacturing and its subsequent discontinuation, and states that there are no current proposals for the revival of electric vehicle manufacturing at this facility.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Diversification Efforts:**
* BHEL Trichy has diversified its business into Oil & Gas and Defence sectors to optimize resource utilization.
* The facility manufactures strategic equipment like thermo-pressed plates for battle tanks and oil-field equipment for ONGC.
* **Electric Bus Manufacturing:**
* BHEL Trichy independently initiated a project to manufacture 12-meter electric buses in 2018.
* This project was discontinued because BHEL's primary business model, focusing on product manufacturing and OEM projects, did not align with the service-oriented nature of e-mobility.
* **Current Proposals:**
* No proposals are currently under consideration by the Ministry of Heavy Industries to revive or expand electric vehicle or battery manufacturing at BHEL Trichy.
**Impact Analysis**
* **BHEL Trichy:**
**Impact:**
* The facility will continue to focus on diversification into Oil & Gas and Defence sectors.
* There is no plan to revive electric bus manufacturing at the current time.
**Action Required:**
* Continue to optimize facilities and workforce in existing and new areas of operation.
* No specific action is required regarding electric bus manufacturing.
* **Ministry of Heavy Industries:**
**Impact:**
* The ministry is aware of BHEL Trichy's diversification efforts.
* The ministry will not be considering any proposals to revive electric vehicle manufacturing at BHEL Trichy at this time.
**Action Required:**
* Monitor BHEL Trichy's progress in other sectors.
* No action required regarding electric bus manufacturing proposals.
Key Entities Referenced
BHEL Trichy: Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Tiruchirappalli: subject of diversification and electric bus manufacturing activities
Ministry of Heavy Industries: The Indian government ministry responsible for policy related to BHEL and other heavy industries
Make in India & Electric Mobility Mission: Referenced government initiatives related to domestic manufacturing and electric vehicle promotion
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2707
ANSWERED ON 16.12.2025
DIVERSIFICATION ACTIVITIES AND REVIVAL OF ELECTRIC BUS
MANUFACTURING AT BHEL TRICHY
2707. SHRI DURAI VAIKO:
Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that with the existing machinery & infrastructure, BHEL
Trichy is capable of diversifying into alternative production streams in addition to conventional
boiler & power sector components;
(b) if so, the details of alternative production works & projects currently being undertaken at BHEL
Trichy to ensure optimal utilisation of available infrastructure & workforce;
(c) whether the Government had initiated or supported the production of electric buses & related
components at BHEL Trichy in coordination with BHEL’s other units;
(d) if so, the present status of electric bus production and the reasons why such manufacturing
activities have not been continued or scaled up, despite the increasing national focus on electric
mobility & green transport; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to revive or expand electric vehicle and battery manufacturing
activities in BHEL Trichy as part of the Make in India & Electric Mobility Mission and if so, the
details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES
(SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA)
(a) & (b): In order to optimally utilize the facilities and workforce available, BHEL Trichy has
diversified its business into other areas such as Oil & Gas, Defence etc. In addition to manufacturing
boilers, BHEL Trichy manufactures strategic equipment, including thermo-pressed plates for battle
tanks and other defence-related components, and oil-field equipment for ONGC.
(c) & (d): No. However, BHEL Trichy under its own initiative took up project to manufacture 12
Metre E - Buses in the year 2018. The same was discontinued as BHEL’s business model is
primarily focused on product manufacturing/Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)/Project
Execution which did not synergize with the service – oriented model of e-mobility.
(e): At present, no such proposal is under consideration of Ministry of Heavy Industries.
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