Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) is set to induct 750 electric buses under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model across 12 locations in the State as part of the Centre’s PM-eBus Sewa scheme.
The proposal received approval from the Ministry of Urban Transport during the 11th and 13th meetings of the Central Sanctioning and Steering Committee (CSSC). Civil infrastructure works have been sanctioned for all 12 identified locations. However, electrical works required for installing charging facilities have so far been cleared for only five depots.
Tenders for civil works at the proposed e-bus depots are being floated, with construction expected to commence within about six weeks. For the works to proceed, depot sites will need to be handed over, which could temporarily disrupt bus operations.
The scope of development varies across locations. At Vidyadharapuram in Vijayawada and Guntur-II, the existing depots situated in low-lying areas require complete dismantling and elevation of yards. Nellore-II and Mangalam depots are to be fully handed over for redevelopment. Partial handover is planned at Gajuwaka, Kakinada and Ananthapuram. At Mangalagiri, Kadapa and Kurnool, vacant land within existing depots will be utilised, with separate entry points planned for electric bus operations.
Simhapuri and Rajamahendravaram have been identified as greenfield projects to be developed on new sites. Some existing structures at various depots will have to be relocated to accommodate electric bus infrastructure. As relocation costs have not been sanctioned by the Centre, these expenses will be borne by APSRTC.
Meanwhile, the RTC Employees’ Union has strongly opposed the move to induct electric buses under the GCC model. The union has objected to the allocation of 12 locations across 11 depots to Pune-based Pinnacle Company, stating that electric buses should be operated directly by APSRTC employees. It has demanded that the decision to hand over depot operations to private consortiums be cancelled and that the government instead create the required infrastructure within the corporation. The union has indicated that it may launch State-wide protests if its demands are not addressed.
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