Hyderabad, Aug. 15 -- The Telangana cabinet, chaired by chief minister A Revanth Reddy, on Friday approved a Rs.200 crore scheme to convert petrol and diesel-powered auto rickshaws into electric vehicles within core Hyderabad capital region in a move to reduce automobile pollution and transform Hyderabad into a green city.

Disclosing this to reporters after the cabinet meeting, state information and public relations minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said there were currently around 18,766 petrol and diesel autos operating in the Core Urban Region (CURE) area of Hyderabad.

"Under the proposed scheme, eligible auto drivers will be provided a subsidy of up to Rs.1.50 lakh per vehicle to facilitate the transition to electric autos," the min...