Ludhiana’s wait for e-buses gets longer

It appears that the city’s wait for getting e-buses will get longer. As this project will help in improving the local transportation system of the city, so a lot of enthusiasm can be seen in the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation, but still there is no sign of the 100 buses arriving any time soon.

The MC has finalised Ghora Colony and Humbran Road for the setting up of a bus depot for the e-buses. “We have shortlisted the places where a depot for the e-buses will be set up and have forwarded the proposal to the Union Government, which has been approved. The estimate for setting up of the depots has been sent to the Central Government for approval after which tenders will be floated. We are waiting for the funds to arrive and after that tenders for the setting up of depot will be floated. It is necessary to provide infrastructure first, only then can buses be demanded,” said Additional Commissioner Paramdeep Singh.

The civil work for Ghora Road will cost Rs 12.56 crore while the civil work for Humbran Road will cost Rs 6.01 crore. For the civil work 50 per cent cost will be borne by the Government of India and the remaining 50 per cent by the state government. But for other works, the cost will be borne by the Centre.

Six places have been selected as charging points. Bus will be charged in 45 minutes and can run for 250 km after charging. Charging points will be set up at Model Town Extension, BRS Nagar, near MC Zone-A office, Sarabha Nagar and Feroze Gandhi Market.

These 100 buses will be part of the PM e-bus Sewa Scheme. Keeping in view the narrow lanes of the city, the MC has asked for mini buses. The scheme was launched on August 16, 2023, but the city is still waiting for the buses.

Under this scheme, a PPP operator/original equipment manufacturer will procure, maintain and operate the e-buses on a gross cost contract model.