High rates put brakes on e-bus project

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 14

High rates quoted by the successful firm to run electric buses in the city has stalled the project for now. The administration has now decided to study the China model before floating fresh tenders.

Sources said two senior officials of the Transport Department will visit China this week to study the electric bus models there. They will visit Shenzhen and Shanghai cities. Shenzhen, the technology hub of China, has the world’s first all-electric public transport network. Shanghai has converted a majority of its public transport fleet into electric vehicles.

The tenders were floated a few months ago for running 40 electric buses in the city on a revenue-sharing basis. As per the term and conditions of the tender, all investment for running the buses, including purchase, will be borne by the selected company and the administration will pay the firm on a per kilo metre basis.

The sources said the tender was opened last month. It was found that the rates quoted by the successful firm were too high and the Transport Department put the tender on the hold, and decided to compare it with the other states where the electric buses are running.

The committee, after examining the rates in the other states, found the rates quoted by the firm were too high and recommended cancellation of the tender.

Dr Ajay Kumar Singla, Secretary Transport, said the rates were found unviable and a fresh process would be started after examining such models in other states.

The administration has decided to introduce electric buses in the city with the aim of reducing pollution caused by the increasing number of vehicles. The Centre is also promoting electric vehicles as these produce zero emissions.