The Tamil Nadu transport department has cancelled five tenders issued in March for the procurement of tyres and spare parts for government buses after deciding to revise specifications.

The cancellations follow an earlier decision to cancel two tenders to procure 500 e-buses and 300 micro buses proposed for operation in Chennai. Officials said the move is aimed at aligning technical requirements with operational needs.

The five tenders covered the purchase of 60,000 tyres intended for use by state transport corporations (STCs). The tenders were floated during the previous regime in March and have now been withdrawn to allow modifications to tyre specifications, according to department sources. Eight transport corporations operate 21,000 buses across the state and manage maintenance and spares procurement.

Transport employees expressed concern that the tender cancellations may affect daily operations, noting that the corporations require at least 8,000 new tyres per month to meet replacement schedules. Department officials countered that the STCs currently have an adequate stock of tyres and that procurement cycles for tyres and spare parts are typically conducted every six months to maintain inventory. Officials added that fresh tenders will be issued soon after the revised specifications are finalised. The department indicated the changes are procedural and aimed at ensuring tyre quality and compatibility with fleet requirements.

The transport minister, Vijay Tamilan Parthiban, reviewed planned upgrades to the department's online ticket booking portal and mobile application. Proposed enhancements include voice command booking, a mobile application feature to display vacant seats and bus arrival timings, and expansion of online coverage to all long-distance services. Officials said these measures are part of a broader effort to improve passenger convenience and operational transparency.