**Summary:**
Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1517, answered on August 1, 2025, by the Minister of State for Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, addresses the potential extension of the PM EDRIVE public transport initiative. The response indicates that there are no current plans to extend PM EDRIVE to semi-urban city centers with populations between 80,000 and 100,000, nor are there plans to expand the electric public transport network under PM EDRIVE at historical sites identified by UNESCO in Bagalkot district, Karnataka, namely Badami, Pattadkal, Aihole, and Kudal Sangam.
Regarding public charging infrastructure, the government has facilitated its installation by private entrepreneurs through guidelines issued by the Ministry of Power (letter No. 1222018EV dated 17.09.2024). Furthermore, the PM EDRIVE Scheme includes an allocation of Rs. 2,000 crore for establishing sufficient charging infrastructure across India for various vehicle categories. This initiative involves consultations with Central Ministries, Authorities, State Governments, and Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). The scheme aims to establish EV charging infrastructure within city limits and to make selected intercity and interstate highways "EV ready."
Key Entities Referenced
PM EDRIVE: A government scheme related to electric public transport.
Ministry of Heavy Industries: The Indian government ministry responsible for the policy.
SHRI NARAYANASA K. BHANDAGE: Member of Parliament who raised the question.
Badami, Karnataka: Historical place in Bagalkot district, Karnataka identified by UNESCO.
Pattadkal, Karnataka: Historical place in Bagalkot district, Karnataka identified by UNESCO.
Aihole, Karnataka: Historical place in Bagalkot district, Karnataka identified by UNESCO.
Kudal sangam, Karnataka: Historical place in Bagalkot district, Karnataka identified by UNESCO.
SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA: The Minister of State for Heavy Industries.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1517
ANSWERED ON 01.08.2025
PLAN TO EXTEND PM E-DRIVE
1517. SHRI NARAYANASA K. BHANDAGE:
Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government has plan to extend the PM E-DRIVE public transport to semi urban
city centres with population of around 80,000 to 1 Lakh;
(b) whether Ministry has plans for expanding the electric public transport network under PME-
DRIVE at historical places as identified by UNESCO in Badami, Pattadkal, Aihole and Kudal
sangam of Bagalkot district, Karnataka for ease of tourists as per request submitted by
stakeholders;
(c) whether there is a roadmap for installing public charging stations across national highways
and metro cities; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES
(SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA)
(a) & (b): No such proposal is under consideration.
(c) & (d): The Government has facilitated the installation of public charging stations by
private entrepreneurs through guidelines issued by the Ministry of Power, vide letter No.
12/2/2018-EV dated 17.09.2024. Further, an allocation of Rs.2,000 crore has been made under
the PM E-DRIVE Scheme for setting up of adequate charging infrastructure for various
categories of vehicles on pan India basis in consultation with Central Ministries/ Authorities,
State Governments, Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), etc. In addition to setting up
EV charging infrastructure within city limits, the Scheme also envisages selected inter-city/
inter-state highways to be made EV ready.
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