30 new AC e-buses roll in, Aapli Bus EV fleet to grow to 260
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Nagpur: The city's push towards cleaner and greener public transport is gaining pace, with 30 new air-conditioned electric buses arriving this week under the much-delayed 250 e-bus project sanctioned in 2023 by then deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
These buses will soon be inducted into the Aapli Bus service, increasing the electric vehcile fleet from 230 to 260.
The Aapli Bus fleet now comprises a total of 539 buses, including 150 midi buses, 45 mini buses, and 237 standard diesel buses procured under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). Out of the 230 electric midi buses already in service, 184 are air-conditioned while 46 are non-AC.
Many of the 237 standard diesel buses have surpassed their 15-year lifespan. Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has already begun phasing them out. In the first phase, 123 such ageing buses were scrapped, and more are expected to be replaced gradually as electric buses arrive.
In 2023, Fadnavis sanctioned Rs136 crore for the procurement of 250 AC e-buses. However, the project was marred by delays, including the enforcement of the model code of conduct during the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections.
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The Rs550 crore project finally gained traction in 2024 when NMC awarded the contract to Hansa Vahan India Private Limited, which partnered with EKA Mobility for the execution.
"NMC twice floated tenders for this project. Hyderabad-based Olectra and Nagpur-based Hansa Vahan India Pvt Ltd emerged as top contenders. Hansa's competitive bid of Rs62.84 per km was significantly lower than Olectra's Rs77.91, leading to the selection of the local firm.
NMC issued the Letter of Award on October 11, 2023, and gave the firm 300 days to supply and operate all 250 buses," said a senior transport official.
As per the Request for Proposal (RFP), the selected contractor is to operate the 250 air-conditioned electric buses under this scheme at a cost of Rs62.91 per kilometre. The state govt is offering a subsidy of Rs55 lakh per bus, while the remaining cost will be borne by the operator.
NMC will pay the operator based on the kilometres operated.
The official added that NMC has already received the first lot of 30 e-buses from the company. Construction of depots is underway at Wathoda and Khapri. Meanwhile, the company has been temporarily allotted space at the Matrishakti E-Depot in Lakadganj for setting up a charging station, allowing it to begin operations while permanent infrastructure is developed.
In addition, the civic body is expecting the first lot of e-buses next month as part of the 150 sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri e-Bus Sewa scheme. Besides this, NMC has also sent a proposal to the PMe-Bus Sewa scheme to allocate another 240 e-buses.
"By next year, NMC plans to phase out the remaining JNNURM standard buses. By 2029, our target is to convert the entire city fleet to electric, achieving zero emissions in public transport operations," the official said.
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