STREE Set For National Rollout With TERI Backing

VIJAYAWADA: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has extended support for the nationwide expansion of the STREE programme, a women-centric sustainable mobility initiative being implemented by Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) under the Union Ministry of Power.

Currently operational in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, the initiative has benefited nearly 1,800 women, mostly from self-help groups, through the distribution of electric cargo bicycles to improve last-mile connectivity and income generation.

STREE Sustainable Transport for Rural Entrepreneurs through Electric Bicycles is emerging as one of India’s largest pilot projects in electric micro-mobility for rural women. TERI Director General Dr Vibha Dhawan announced the support at a high-level event held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.

Praising CESL, EESL and the Ministry of Power for spearheading the programme, Dr Dhawan said the initiative demonstrated how clean mobility solutions could improve livelihoods while contributing to climate action. She said TERI would provide technical expertise, policy support and global best practices to strengthen its expansion.

According to programme data, beneficiaries are saving about ₹1,351 per month on average. In Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh, nearly 59 per cent of participants reported increased earnings, with average monthly gains of ₹4,601. In Bihar, over 52 per cent of women beneficiaries now use e-bicycles as their primary mode of transport.

Highlighting global trends, TERI said electric micro-mobility solutions could increase women’s incomes by 25 to 40 per cent. Dr Dhawan added that the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of women-led development, green mobility and a self-reliant rural economy.

CESL and EESL CEO Akhilesh Kumar Dixit has directed senior executives to prepare a comprehensive national action plan to scale up the STREE programme.