Chartered Speed, EKA Mobility to deploy 1,750 electric buses in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): Chartered Speed Limited and EKA Mobility on Wednesday secured a Letter of Confirmation of Quantity for the deployment of 1,750 electric buses here, officials said.
The development marks a significant milestone in strengthening sustainable public electric transport infrastructure in one of India’s major metropolitan regions.
According to Chartered Speed Limited, a leading player in passenger bus mobility services, the allocation accounts for nearly 39 per cent of Bengaluru’s planned induction of 4,500 electric buses under the PM E-Drive Scheme, underscoring the company’s role in advancing the city’s public transport electrification efforts.
Bengaluru has emerged as one of India’s leading cities in electric public transport adoption, with the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation steadily expanding its electric bus network in line with Karnataka’s clean mobility vision and the Centre’s decarbonisation roadmap, the company said in a statement.
Emphasising that safety remains a core pillar of its EV operations, Chartered Speed Limited said it follows structured safety protocols, including preventive maintenance, battery health monitoring, and specialised driver training to ensure reliable and commuter-focused services.
The partnership combines Chartered Speed’s operational expertise with EKA Mobility’s electric vehicle manufacturing and technology capabilities to deliver accessible and dependable urban transport solutions for Bengaluru commuters, it added.
"Bengaluru is a key mobility hub in India, and electric buses are central to efforts to build a cleaner and more efficient public transport system," said Sanyam Gandhi, Whole-Time Director, Chartered Speed Limited.
"As an early adopter of e-mobility, we aim to convert around 25 per cent of our fleet to electric by fiscal 2027, supported by strong infrastructure investments to deliver commuter-centric services with lasting socio-economic impact," he added.
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Bengaluru jail introduces biometric tracking system for prisoners
Bengaluru: In a bid to curb misconduct and illegal activities inside Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, prison authorities have introduced a new ‘Prisoners Tracking Movement System’ under which inmates will have to undergo biometric verification while entering every barrack.
According to jail officials, biometric systems have been installed across all major sections of the prison, including barracks, visitor rooms, hospital, canteen, kitchen, library, playground, handicraft units and bakery sections. Staff members have also been deployed at these locations.
Officials said inmates visiting the visitors’ room must now obtain a digital token after biometric verification. Details such as the prisoner’s name, identification number and entry time will be updated in the prison software system. This will help authorities maintain a complete digital record of inmates visiting and returning from meeting rooms.
Similar systems have also been introduced at entry points of the hospital, library and other barracks accessed for work-related purposes. Officials said the system will help identify prisoners involved in suspicious or illegal activities with other inmates and enable authorities to track how much time a prisoner spends at different locations inside the prison.
Authorities stated that AI-powered cameras were already being used inside the prison to monitor inmates as well as prison staff. Along with this, digital tracking of prisoner phone calls and a digital token system for visitor meetings have now been added to strengthen surveillance over inmate movement. Officials said the project has been implemented at a cost of around Rs 2.25 crore.
The prison department has also introduced a canteen usage tracking system to monitor prisoners’ spending patterns. Instead of direct cash payments, inmates can purchase bakery items and snacks using wallets or coupons issued within the prison system.
Officials said the digital system will record details including the buyer’s name, items purchased, quantity, date, time and remaining wallet balance. This will allow prison authorities to maintain complete expenditure records of inmates.
