Under the scheme, 100 electric midi-buses will be introduced, with 70 operating from the Ghora Road depot and 30 from the Hambran Road depot. The government of India is funding depot upgrades, with about Rs 23.3 million (mn) for Ghora Road and Rs 58.7 mn for Hambran Road. Ludhiana is one of five Punjab cities selected under the programme, alongside Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala and Mohali.
Authorities identified seven routes connecting residential areas, villages and main corridors, including Elysian Tower to Tajpur Village, Ludhiana Zoo to Dhandari Kalan-Giaspura and Hambran Bus Depot to Sahnewal. Other routes will link Eyali Octroi to Dana Mandi Road, Chuharpur to Meharban, Hambran Bus Depot to Mangli Octroi and Jodhewal Basti Chowk on Rahon Road to Dhandran.
Work at the Hambran Road depot to install charging infrastructure and support facilities is expected to be completed soon. Progress at the Ghora Road depot was slower because of encroachments and parked vehicles; the area has now been cleared but officials said work there may take one or two months. With about 30 passengers per bus, authorities hope the service will persuade more commuters to use public transport.
The project marks a renewed attempt to restore public bus transport in Ludhiana after the city service launched in 2011 ceased in 2024 owing to congestion. Officials said the initiative forms part of efforts to modernise urban mobility and provide affordable alternatives to private vehicles.