Hyderabad to Introduce 100% Electric RTC Buses by December 2026
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced that the state government is preparing comprehensive plans to ensure that Hyderabad does not face the environmental and urban challenges currently affecting several major metropolitan cities in India. The government aims to develop Hyderabad into a globally competitive city while maintaining environmental sustainability.
As part of the pollution control strategy, the Chief Minister revealed that all RTC buses operating within Hyderabad will be converted to electric vehicles by December 9, 2026. The move is expected to significantly reduce air pollution and promote cleaner urban transport.
Announcement During Women’s Day Event
Revanth Reddy made these remarks while addressing a programme held at Jyotirao Phule Bhavan on the occasion of International Women’s Day. During the event, the Chief Minister honored several women journalists for their contributions to the media sector.
He emphasized that the development and protection of Hyderabad as an international city require the cooperation of all sections of society, including media professionals.
Learning from Challenges Faced by Other Metro Cities
The Chief Minister pointed out that several major cities in India are currently facing serious urban challenges. He cited examples such as Mumbai experiencing severe disruptions during heavy rains, Delhi struggling with extreme air pollution, Bengaluru dealing with heavy traffic congestion, and Chennai facing recurring flood-related risks.
According to him, Hyderabad must avoid such situations in the future by implementing effective planning and sustainable infrastructure strategies at an early stage.
Focus on Pollution Control and Environmental Protection
Revanth Reddy noted that Hyderabad’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has already entered the orange category, indicating the need for urgent measures to control pollution levels. The government is working on multiple initiatives aimed at improving environmental conditions across the city.
Among these initiatives is the Musi Riverfront development project, which is intended to reduce pollution in the Musi River and transform the surrounding areas into environmentally sustainable urban spaces.
Musi Riverfront Project and Urban Redevelopment
The Chief Minister explained that similar riverfront development projects have been successfully implemented in other parts of the country, including the Yamuna Riverfront in Delhi, the Ganga river rejuvenation initiatives in Uttar Pradesh, and the Sabarmati Riverfront project in Gujarat.
He stated that Hyderabad’s Musi Riverfront project aims to achieve similar outcomes by cleaning the river and developing the surrounding areas in a planned manner.
The government has also assured that families displaced by redevelopment projects will receive proper assistance, compensation, and alternative housing arrangements.
Expansion of Electric Transport Infrastructure
Currently, about 2,800 RTC buses in Hyderabad run on diesel. As part of the transition toward clean mobility, the government has already introduced 500 electric buses into the public transport system.
By December 2026, the remaining diesel buses will be moved outside the city limits beyond the Outer Ring Road, and their operations within the city will be replaced with fully electric buses.
To promote electric mobility further, the Telangana government has also introduced a zero-tax policy for electric vehicles.
Plans to Convert Autos and Reduce Plastic Use
Hyderabad currently has nearly two lakh auto-rickshaws operating on petrol, diesel, or other fuels. The government is preparing a retrofitting plan that will allow these vehicles to gradually transition into electric vehicles.
In addition, the government is planning to completely ban single-use plastics in the city and relocate pollution-causing industries classified under red and orange categories outside the urban limits.
Economic Vision for Telangana
The Chief Minister also spoke about Telangana’s long-term economic goals. Although the state accounts for only around 2.5 percent of India’s population, it contributes nearly 5 percent of the country’s GDP.
The government has set ambitious targets to grow Telangana into a one trillion dollar economy by 2034 and a three trillion dollar economy by 2047. By that time, the state aims to contribute nearly 10 percent of India’s GDP.
Support and Recognition for Women Journalists
Revanth Reddy highlighted the importance of recognizing the contributions of women journalists and announced that the government will establish committees to ensure safety and support for women working in both print and electronic media organizations.
He assured that desk journalists will also receive fair recognition and that no injustice will occur in the process of providing official media accreditation.
The event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, ministers Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, Konda Surekha, Ponnam Prabhakar, Mohammad Azharuddin, Media Academy Chairman Srinivas Reddy, I&PR Commissioner CH Priyanka, and a large number of women journalists.
