Jammu, Oct 7 (PTI) Jammu is set to get 75 new seven-metre air-conditioned smart electric buses under the PM-eBus Sewa programme, further expanding the city’s electric public transport network, officials said.
The bidding process for the buses has been completed, with PMI Electro Mobility Solutions Private Limited emerging as the lowest bidder (L-1) for the Jammu and Kashmir lot, they said.
Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) has conveyed the bidding outcome to the Jammu and Kashmir administration, and the formal award of the contract is likely to follow soon, officials said.
The new buses will be seven-metre, standard-floor and fully air-conditioned, providing commuters with an additional cleaner and more comfortable public transport option, they said.
Jammu already has 100 Smart Electric Buses being operated by Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL), comprising 25 12-metre buses and 75 nine-metre buses.
Another 25 12-metre Smart Electric Buses are also being added to the fleet. The contract for these buses was signed in August this year and they are currently under manufacture, officials said.
With the latest addition, Jammu is moving towards a diversified electric bus network comprising seven-metre, nine-metre and 12-metre buses, providing greater flexibility to deploy buses according to route requirements.
The smaller buses are expected to be particularly useful on routes passing through congested city areas, while their air-conditioned interiors will provide greater comfort to passengers, especially during Jammu’s hot summer months.
Under the arrangement, the selected operator will provide and maintain the buses and operate them on designated public transport routes.
“Jammu is moving towards a cleaner, smarter and more passenger-friendly public transport system. The addition of 75 new 7-metre AC Smart Electric Buses will further strengthen the JSCL fleet and provide people with cleaner, reliable and comfortable mobility,” CEO Jammu Smart City Limited Dr Devansh Yadav said.
The 75 buses are part of Lot-16 under the PM-eBus Sewa Tender-3 and have been specifically allocated to Jammu.
With the bidding process completed, the administration will now undertake the remaining formalities, including issuance of the Letter of Award and signing of the agreement with the selected operator, following which the buses will be deployed, officials said.
With 100 electric buses already operational, 25 more under manufacture and 75 new buses moving towards deployment, Jammu’s electric public transport network is set for a major expansion. PTI AB SHS
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