Telangana begins retrofitting diesel buses to electric for greener transport

The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation on Friday announced its step towards green mobility by retrofitting its ageing diesel fleet into electric buses.

The State-run transport undertaking had called for tender for retrofitting old diesel buses into electric buses on September 15, 2025. As a next step, the corporation will entrust the conversion of 200 buses to Sai Green Mobility and another 40 buses to Kalyani Power Train Limited.

According to TGSRTC, a target of introducing 2,800 electric buses within the Hyderabad Outer Ring Road limits by 2027 has been set. Officials stated that they expect an increased reliance on public transport. This would lead to a reduction in pollution levels.

As of now, there are as many as 325 electric buses are operating from six depots across Hyderabad. Another another 175 buses slated for induction to the fleet this year. Charging infrastructure is being established in 19 additional depots, while plans have been drawn up for 10 new depots and 10 charging centres. The cost of this infrastructure is estimated at about ₹392 crore.

Officials also pointed to a pilot project at Musheerabad as evidence of the viability of retrofitting. In 2023, a diesel bus from the Musheerabad depot was converted into an electric bus with private sector assistance and is now operating successfully within the Uppal depot limits.

TGSRTC Vice CHairman and Managing Director V. Nagi Reddy appealed to citizens to support what he described as a green journey for Hyderabad’s future. He called for for public participation in reshaping the city’s transport system.

Senior TGSRTC executives and representatives of the retrofitting firms reviewed the programme’s progress at a meeting held at Bus Bhavan.