EVs Power Clean Cities Under Swachh Bharat Mission

20 Jun 2025 CW Team

In Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, over 200 electric autos have replaced conventional diesel-powered trucks for door-to-door waste collection. Backed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), these EVs — equipped with GPS tracking — cover more than 159 square kilometres. This initiative cuts down diesel use by over 71,000 litres annually, potentially reducing 21,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over ten years.

In Chennai, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has deployed 5,478 battery-operated e-rickshaws across 15 zones, servicing over 2.1 million households across 24,621 streets. These e-rickshaws, travelling around 40 km daily, are helping reduce 41 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per day, totalling 15,160 tonnes annually. The programme also generates employment for over 6,000 people. Additionally, onboard audio systems are used to spread awareness about waste segregation and cleanliness.

Similarly, the Indore Municipal Corporation has rolled out 100 e-vehicles for waste collection, replacing diesel trucks and generating estimated annual savings of around Rs 59.7 million. The city has also set up 20 solar-powered charging stations fitted with 10 kW solar panels, capable of producing 800–1,000 units of energy per day, supporting charging for up to 100 vehicles daily.

According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, these initiatives reflect a strong synergy between clean mobility and sustainable waste management, contributing significantly to the country’s climate goals and urban renewal efforts.

The Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U) is witnessing a major shift as electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly being integrated into municipal waste collection systems. The government announced that the transition to zero-emission EVs in daily garbage collection is revolutionising urban sanitation by reducing carbon emissions, air pollution, and noise, while supporting the mission’s goal of creating garbage-free cities.In Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, over 200 electric autos have replaced conventional diesel-powered trucks for door-to-door waste collection. Backed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), these EVs — equipped with GPS tracking — cover more than 159 square kilometres. This initiative cuts down diesel use by over 71,000 litres annually, potentially reducing 21,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over ten years.In Chennai, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has deployed 5,478 battery-operated e-rickshaws across 15 zones, servicing over 2.1 million households across 24,621 streets. These e-rickshaws, travelling around 40 km daily, are helping reduce 41 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per day, totalling 15,160 tonnes annually. The programme also generates employment for over 6,000 people. Additionally, onboard audio systems are used to spread awareness about waste segregation and cleanliness.Similarly, the Indore Municipal Corporation has rolled out 100 e-vehicles for waste collection, replacing diesel trucks and generating estimated annual savings of around Rs 59.7 million. The city has also set up 20 solar-powered charging stations fitted with 10 kW solar panels, capable of producing 800–1,000 units of energy per day, supporting charging for up to 100 vehicles daily.According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, these initiatives reflect a strong synergy between clean mobility and sustainable waste management, contributing significantly to the country’s climate goals and urban renewal efforts.

Infrastructure Energy

22 Oct 2025

KEC Secures Rs 10, 380 Mn Substation Order in Saudi Arabia

KEC International Ltd., a global infrastructure EPC major, and an RPG Group company, has secured a new order worth Rs 10,380 million for the Design, Supply and Installation of a 380 kV GIS Substation in Saudi Arabia.Vimal Kejriwal, MD & CEO, KEC International Ltd., commented, “We are delighted with the successive order wins in our T&D business. In a landmark achievement, we have secured our largest ever substation order. This prestigious order in the Middle East has widened our portfolio and strengthened our presence in the region. With this strategic win, our year-to-date or..

Infrastructure Urban

22 Oct 2025

Central Bank of India executes first fully digital SCF deal on PSB Xchange

In a major advancement for India’s banking sector, Central Bank of India (CBI) has successfully completed the country’s first fully digital supply chain finance (SCF) transaction on PSB Xchange—a unified multi-lender platform launched by PSB Alliance. PSB Xchange is designed to connect public and private sector banks, NBFCs, and fintechs with corporates and their channel partners to facilitate supply chain finance and small business loans. The transaction marks the first time a fintech-originated corporate lead has been seamlessly processed through the PSB Xchange ecosystem. The lead fl..

Infrastructure Energy

22 Oct 2025

Atlanta Electricals secures Rs 1,835 Mn transformer order from BNC Power

Atlanta Electricals Limited (“Atlanta”) has secured an order worth Rs 1,835 million from BNC Power Projects Ltd for the supply of extra high voltage (EHV) transformers and a bus reactor for its Pugal site. The contract includes a mix of 315 MVA, 400 KV and 100 MVA, 132 KV transformers along with a 400 KV bus reactor. The project scope encompasses design, manufacturing, testing, and supply to the project site. Deliveries will be sequenced following engineering and drawing approvals, offering multi-quarter execution visibility and ensuring a steady production run-rate. The order will be ex..