Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) served notice to Olectra e-Bus Company, which is supposed to supply 5,000 ‘Shivai’ electric busses to Maharashtra, for delay in supply of e-buses recently. The State transport company awarded a contract of supplying 5,000 e-buses, including 228 for Nagpur division, and also to establish charging station in all state depots. However, the company has failed to supply e-buses to MSRTC. “We have served a notice to the company for delay in supply. So far, the company gave us just 20 ‘Shivai’ e-buses which are now plying on Nashik and Boriwali route,” Chetan Hasabnis, Deputy General Manager (Operation), MSRTC told ‘The Hitavada’.

 

“We entered into a contract with the company to provide the fleet of 5,000 e-buses and install charging stations in all depots. The company had two years to deliver the buses. But, the company delayed the supply due to which we are unable to start ‘Shivai’ services in all districts,” said the DGM. MSRTC has intentions to launch these buses with eye-catching colours and opulent interiors in its Platinum Jubilee year in an effort to compete with private operators. Although 228 electric buses were promised for Nagpur division by MSRTC, it is still unknown if all of the buses will fall into the Shivai category.

 

According to a senior official of MSRTC, “The delay in supply has affected bus service on different routs from Nagpur. The company is currently working on installation of the charging station at Imambada Bus Depot, which was also a part of the contract.” To reduce the impact of air pollution, the State Government has plans to transform its fleet from diesel buses to electric buses in near future. Including 5,000 electric buses is also a part of the same project. The first ‘Shivai’ electric bus on the Pune-Ahmednagar route was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on the occasion of the MSRTC’s 75th foundation day programme in June 2022. Since then, only 20 buses are plying on Pune-Ahmednagar and Nashik-Boriwali routes whereas Nagpur division is still awaits its electric bus fleet.