Chandigarh Administration to buy 40 diesel buses for long routes

The UT Transport Department will purchase 40 new non-AC diesel buses, which will replace as many vehicles nearing the end of their operational life. The buses will ply on key routes, including Delhi and other popular destinations.

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According to officials of the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU), the department has received financial approval and tenders will be floated soon for procurement of buses. The officials said the buses would be equipped with features such as mobile charging ports and real-time GPS tracking system.

“The procurement process will begin soon. The aim is to induct the buses swiftly to avoid service disruptions and improve intercity transport,” said the officials.

Earlier in January this year, the CTU had rolled out 60 AC buses on various intercity routes, including Delhi, Sirsa, Talwandi Sabo, Shimla and Amritsar.

Meanwhile, the plan to induct 100 electric buses for intra-city use continues to be in limbo. The UT Administration is still awaiting a response from the Central Government on its request for approval to float a tender under the PM e-Bus Seva Scheme. Despite submitting a detailed request for proposal nearly six weeks ago and making a presentation in Delhi, the UT is yet to receive the go-ahead.

The proposed e-buses are slated to replace 100 aging diesel buses at the CTU’s Depot No. 4, which will complete their lifespan by mid-November this year. While the Centre approved a subsidy for these buses over a year ago, administrative delays have held up the next phase of implementation.