CM Revanth Reddy Proposes EV Scooters for Women Students, Outlines Mobility Plans

On the occasion of International Women’s Day , CM Revanth Reddy announced that the Telangana government is examining a proposal to provide electric scooters to women college students in the state to improve their mobility, safety and access to education. He made the remarks while addressing a felicitation programme for women journalists at Jyotirao Phule Bhavan in Hyderabad on Sunday. He said the initiative was part of the Congress party’s election promises , aimed at encouraging women’s education and independence while also promoting eco-friendly transport . However, he said implementing the scheme within the current financial year may be difficult due to financial constraints, though the government is studying the proposal in detail.

Highlighting the government’s environmental goals, CM Revanth Reddy said several measures are being taken to transform Hyderabad into a pollution-free city . He said around 2,800 diesel buses operated by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) are being moved outside the city limits. The government aims to eliminate diesel buses in Hyderabad by December 9, 2026 , gradually replacing them with electric AC buses and other clean transport options. He added that the state is also preparing an action plan to convert nearly two lakh auto-rickshaws currently running on conventional fuels into electric vehicles. To promote electric mobility, the government has exempted electric vehicles from taxes .

He also said the government is examining a proposal to ban single-use plastic within the Outer Ring Road limits of Hyderabad and is preparing plans to relocate polluting industries outside the city. Industries with a pollution index above 60 are classified as red category , while those between 41 and 59 fall under the orange category , both of which significantly contribute to urban pollution.

Speaking about Hyderabad’s growth, CM Revanth Reddy noted that many major cities such as Mumbai , Bengaluru , Chennai and Kolkata face challenges like flooding, traffic congestion and pollution. He said the Telangana government aims to develop Hyderabad into a globally competitive city comparable to Tokyo and Singapore . He also acknowledged the contributions of former chief ministers N. Chandrababu Naidu and Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy in laying the foundation for the city’s development.

He further said the government aims to expand Telangana’s economy , currently estimated at around $200 billion , to $1 trillion within the next eight years . Referring to environmental restoration efforts, he spoke about the Musi Riverfront Project , which aims to clean the Musi River and develop the surrounding areas into public spaces. As part of the project, the government is considering installing a statue of Mahatma Gandhi costing around ₹70 crore and establishing a knowledge centre expected to cost more than ₹100 crore .

The Chief Minister also emphasised the need to support women journalists , stating that media organisations should establish safety committees for women employees. He assured that desk journalists would receive fair recognition and said women’s economic empowerment is essential for the country’s progress.