Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: 34 AC buses idle at depot awaiting minister's launch

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city's population is growing steadily, and so is the traffic burden. There had long been demand for a stronger public transport system. People who travelled packed into autorickshaws despite paying high fares had hoped that AC city buses would bring relief. But that relief has now been delayed, because 34 AC city buses supplied to the municipal corporation by Olectra company are standing idle and gathering dust at the Jadhavwadi bus depot.

After four years of follow-up, these buses finally reached the municipal corporation. But they have still not been launched and have not entered public service. This is why people in the city are asking when these AC buses will finally start running.

As the city is expanding rapidly, 100 buses were purchased under the Smart City project to strengthen the public transport system. But the city's requirement is estimated at more than 400 buses. For this reason, an agreement was made through the Smart City project to take 35 buses on rent from Hyderabad-based company Olectra. Of these, one bus was given for testing, but the company kept delaying delivery of the remaining 34 buses.

Meanwhile the Smart City project was shut down, yet the municipal corporation still did not receive the buses. Finally, when the current municipal commissioner Amol Yedge warned that the company's deposit would be forfeited, the company handed over the 34 buses to the corporation last month.

After the buses arrived, their passing process was completed and a launch was planned on 17 September to coincide with Marathwada Mukti Sangram Din. But the event was cancelled at the last moment.

The municipal administration then said the buses would be launched on the next available date of the Chief Minister. But now, with the graduates' constituency election announced, the model code of conduct will remain in force until 31 October. This has raised questions about when time will be available for the launch.

This has caused resentment among the public, who say it is not right to keep 34 new AC buses standing idle at the depot merely awaiting a launch event, when the facility is otherwise ready.

Municipal commissioner Amol Yedge said the corporation has received 34 city buses from Olectra company, and they will be launched once their passing process is complete.

Meanwhile there has been another setback. While the private company's 34 AC buses await launch, 27 buses received under the PM e-Bus Seva scheme have also hit a snag. The charging stations required for these electric buses have not yet been built. The tender process for building the charging stations has been stalled because of the model code of conduct. Once the charging station work is complete, the municipal corporation is due to receive 73 more buses under the PM e-Bus Seva scheme.

So while residents wait for a modern, air-conditioned public transport system on one hand, the existing buses stand idle at the depot on the other. All eyes are now on when the administration will put these buses on the road.