Maha minister instructs cancellation of electric bus contract due to supplier inactivity

Time of India

26-05-2025

Mumbai: The company responsible for supplying 5,150 electric buses on a lease basis has proven to be inactive, and action should be taken to cancel the tender contract made by the ST Corporation with this company, instructed transport minister and MSRTC chairman Pratap Sarnaik.
He was speaking at a review meeting held at the corporation headquarters on Monday.
Sarnaik said that the supplier was given a revised schedule to deliver 1,000 buses by May 22. However, the company failed to supply even a single bus within this timeframe. "This raises doubts about the company's ability to supply buses in the future. At a time when the corporation urgently needs buses, if the supplier cannot deliver on time, the tender contract with this company should be cancelled," he said.
The existing Shivshahi buses operated by the ST Corporation should be gradually reconstructed and converted into Hirkani (semi-luxury) buses, the minister suggested at the meeting. "These buses should be painted in the traditional green and white colours, as they were previously," he said.
He further said that during visits to various bus stations across the state, he observed severe negligence regarding cleanliness. There have been frequent complaints from passengers, especially female passengers, in this regard. "Once flaws are pointed out, action must be taken by holding the responsible officials accountable. If such negligent officials are being shielded, it will not be tolerated under any circumstances," he added.