The Delhi government on Monday issued global tenders for engagement of 375 of the 1,000 electric buses it has decided to procure to combat high levels of air pollution and boost public transport in the national capital.

Delhi transport minister Kailash Gahlot said the 375 e-buses will form the first phase of procurement of the 1,000 buses. “I want to congratulate all Delhiites. Keeping our commitment to fight pollution and moving towards clean fuel technology, AAP government has released global tenders for engagement of 375 electric buses in Delhi. This is the first phase of procurement of a total of 1000 e-buses,” he said.

Earlier this month, the Delhi cabinet sanctioned procurement of 1,000 low-floor electric buses, saying the first batch of it was likely to be rolled on by the end of this year. The electric buses will be parked and charged overnight at six depots. These are East Vinod Nagar, Burari, Rohini Sector 37, Mudhela Kalan, ITDR Sarai kale Khan and Bamnauli.

Providing the charging infrastructure in the depots and the housing of charging units will be the responsibility of the concessionaire. The arrangements to provide power infrastructure at intermediate charging points along bus routes will also be the responsibility of the concessionaires.

The government, which has earmarked a budget of Rs 1,807 crore for the transport department, is going to provide a subsidy of Rs 75 lakh per bus, or 60% of the cost of the bus, whichever is lower, to the concessioner.

The cabinet in the same meeting had also given its approval to allow the transport department to ask the prospective bidders to bring the buses with CCTV cameras, Automatic Vehicle Tracking System (AVTS), panic buttons and panic alarms, as per the specification finalised by the government.

The techno-financial assessment report submitted by consultant Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) has suggested two models of e-buses. One, where the bus will be charged once a day, preferably overnight, and operate during the day. One such bus would cost Rs 1.75 crore. Second, is where the buses would require charging even during its operational period.

This type of bus would cost Rs 1.5 crore each.

Officials on condition of anonymity said a decision on whether both the models will be allowed or either of two, will be taken by the Cabinet on Saturday. The report also stated that the e-buses will have a running range between 120 kilometre and 180 kilometre per day. The cost of setting up charging infrastructure is likely to go up to Rs 320 crore.

First Published: Mar 11, 2019 01:26 IST