NOB- Hyderabad news: To reduce air pollution in major cities of the country and promote public transport, the central government has launched the ‘PM e-Drive’ scheme. Under this, tenders were called for 10,900 electric buses across the country. However, the process was stalled due to some legal complications. Recently, with the removal of those hurdles, the center has opened financial bids. 2,000 buses for Hyderabad in these tenders, two companies have qualified for the supply of 2,000 buses allotted to Hyderabad. Megha Sanstha (EV Trans) will supply 1,085 low-floor buses. Greencell Mobility will provide 915 standard-floor buses. These two companies will provide these 2,000 buses to TGSRTC in phases on a rental basis. With the arrival of these new buses, the residents of the greater city will benefit in many ways. Currently, more than a third of the buses plying in the city are diesel buses. With the introduction of electric buses, air and noise pollution will be significantly reduced. The new buses will provide comfortable travel to passengers with modern facilities. The RTC will save hundreds of crores annually in diesel costs. RTC will operate these buses at this rental rate per kilometer. Currently, the central government is in talks with the companies selected in the tenders to further reduce the rent quoted by them. Once this process is completed in a week to ten days, the RTC will enter into a final agreement. The Telangana government has set a target of converting all RTC buses in the state into 100 percent green buses by 2039. These 2,000 electric buses are a crucial step towards that end.