India, Aug. 5 -- The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Committee on Tuesday approved the procurement of 1,500 new electric buses under the central government's PM E-Drive scheme, which will allow it to revive at least 100-125 discontinued routes, according to officials familiar with the matter.

The 9-metre-long AC e-buses, which will be procured on a wet lease, will be rolled out in phases in the coming months, starting from or after Diwali, officials said. The new fleet is expected to strengthen feeder services to metro stations, serve high-density corridors and support the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs' target of operating 10,000 buses in the city by 2027.

"Based on present calculations, by the time all 1,500 e...