C Joseph Vijay Flags Off 250 New Buses to Boost Tamil Nadu Public Transport

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday flagged off 250 new buses, including electric vehicles, for state transport undertakings as part of efforts to modernise public transport and promote cleaner mobility.

According to an official release, the Chief Minister flagged off 130 low-floor, air-conditioned electric buses at the Secretariat. The buses will be deployed for public transport services in Chennai, where authorities are seeking to expand the use of environmentally friendly vehicles and reduce pollution.

The newly introduced electric buses are part of a ₹1,337-crore initiative aimed at procuring a total of 750 electric buses for Chennai. The programme is expected to strengthen the city's public transport network while supporting efforts to reduce emissions from conventional diesel-powered buses.

In addition to the electric buses, Vijay flagged off 120 new buses that will be operated by State Transport Corporations (STCs) across Tamil Nadu. The new vehicles are intended to augment existing fleets and improve public transportation services for passengers across different parts of the state.

The 250 buses flagged off on Tuesday have an estimated value of ₹290.08 crore, according to the official release.

The addition of new buses comes as Tamil Nadu continues to focus on strengthening its public transport infrastructure. The deployment of electric buses in Chennai is particularly significant as urban authorities face growing concerns over air pollution, traffic congestion and the need for more sustainable modes of transportation.

The low-floor design of the new electric buses is also expected to make boarding and travel more convenient for passengers, while air-conditioning could improve comfort during Chennai's hot and humid weather.

The expansion of the electric fleet is part of the state's broader efforts to transition towards cleaner and more sustainable public transportation, while simultaneously upgrading bus services across Tamil Nadu.

With the latest rollout, the state is moving ahead with its planned electric bus procurement programme and fleet expansion for its transport undertakings.