Archive · 31 May 2025
Transport Minister Reverses Stance on E-Bus Contract Due to 'Public Interest'
Imagine a plan to bring lots of new electric buses to help people travel.
The transport minister, who is in charge, originally wanted to stop this plan because the buses weren't arriving on time.
But after a meeting, he changed his mind.
He now believes the buses are good for the public.
The company making the buses is late delivering them, but some have already arrived.
The government is also figuring out how to pay for losses the buses are making while they are in use, as they are costing more to run than expected.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik reversed his demand to cancel the electric bus contract.
Sarnaik now wants MSRTC to receive the e-bus supply as per the revised schedule.
The decision followed a meeting with company representatives and officials.
MSRTC has received 220 of the contracted 5,150 electric buses so far.
The government is considering Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to cover operational losses.
- Who
- Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, MSRTC, and a company supplying electric buses.
- What
- Transport Minister Sarnaik changed his position on the cancellation of an e-bus contract.
- When
- The reversal happened after a meeting with company representatives.
- Where
- Mumbai
- Why
- Due to public interest.
- Transport Minister
- Pratap Sarnaik
- Total Electric Buses Contracted
- 5,150
- Electric Buses Delivered to Date
- 220
- Amount Paid to Company
- Rs 60 crore
- Loss per Kilometer
- Rs 12 per km (12-meter buses), Rs 16 per km (9-meter buses)