Visionary Push for Equitable Green Mobility: Arvind Bellad Urges Centre to Expand e-Bus Scheme to North Karnataka

BM TEAM

In a powerful move to ensure balanced development across Karnataka, Arvind Chandrakant Bellad, the MLA from Hubballi-Dharwad West and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, has emerged as a strong advocate for sustainable transportation in underserved regions. In a recent letter to Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, Bellad called for the expansion of the PM e-Drive initiative to North Karnataka cities.

The initiative, which recently sanctioned 4,500 electric buses to Bengaluru, marks a major step toward eco-friendly urban mobility. However, Bellad has highlighted a critical gap: the growing cities of North Karnataka—Hubballi-Dharwad, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Ballari, and Vijayapura—remain excluded from this green transformation.

In his letter, Bellad lauded the Centre’s commitment to sustainable public transport but asserted that development must be inclusive and regionally balanced. “These cities are not only growing rapidly but also have the necessary infrastructure—KSRTC depots and BRT corridors—for the swift deployment of electric buses,” he noted.

True to his visionary leadership, Bellad emphasized the broader impact of such an allocation. The inclusion of North Karnataka in the PM e-Drive scheme would not only reduce environmental stress but also stimulate local employment, strengthen the electric vehicle ecosystem, and reinforce the goals of the National Clean Air Programme.

Importantly, Bellad’s appeal is not just administrative—it reflects a deeper commitment to bridging the developmental divide between Karnataka’s southern and northern regions. “This step would reflect the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and ensure balanced development across Karnataka,” he wrote.

The PM e-Drive scheme is part of India’s nationwide push for cleaner, greener transportation. With leaders like Arvind Bellad advocating for equitable implementation, the vision of a truly sustainable and inclusive Karnataka seems well within reach.