+
Chennai to introduce 100 e-buses, operated by private firms
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

Chennai to introduce 100 e-buses, operated by private firms

The city is poised to join the ranks of metropolitan areas incorporating electric buses into their fleets. The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) is set to acquire 100 e-buses, with the procurement, operation, and maintenance handled by a private entity chosen through a recently floated tender.

These low-floor air-conditioned buses, featuring a seating capacity for 70 people in a 2+1 pattern (35 seats), will operate from the Adyar and Central (Pallavan Salai) depots, covering 27 different routes, including 29C (Thiruvanmiyur-Perambur), 570 (Kelambakkam-Koyambedu), and 40A (Anna Square-Pattabiram). The routes connect key transit hubs such as Tambaram, Broadway, Thiruporur, and Chennai Central railway station.

Each bus, estimated at a cost of around 12 million, will be equipped with batteries offering an 8-hour capacity, rechargeable in just 30 minutes during day breaks. Charging stations will be established at the two depots by the selected private firm, facilitating 4-hour overnight charging. The government will front the money to the winning contractor, utilising a loan from the German Bank (KfW).

MTC will retain the entire ticketing revenue, compensating the contractor with a fixed amount based on working hours. Notably, the 100 e-buses will be operated by trained drivers supplied by the private firm, marking a departure from previous practices where MTC crew were responsible. This move towards 'semi-privatisation' has, in the past, raised concerns from transport workers' unions, prompting the formation of a committee by the state transport department to assess the feasibility under the gross cost contract model.

Transport Minister S S Sivasankar addressed these concerns, explaining that MTC's expertise lies in diesel engine buses, and they lack the necessary training facilities for electric mobility. He emphasised the collaborative approach with private suppliers and highlighted the agreement reached with unions. The pilot project in Chennai is anticipated to expand to other cities across the state, including Madurai, Trichy, and Coimbatore in the near future.

The city is poised to join the ranks of metropolitan areas incorporating electric buses into their fleets. The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) is set to acquire 100 e-buses, with the procurement, operation, and maintenance handled by a private entity chosen through a recently floated tender. These low-floor air-conditioned buses, featuring a seating capacity for 70 people in a 2+1 pattern (35 seats), will operate from the Adyar and Central (Pallavan Salai) depots, covering 27 different routes, including 29C (Thiruvanmiyur-Perambur), 570 (Kelambakkam-Koyambedu), and 40A (Anna Square-Pattabiram). The routes connect key transit hubs such as Tambaram, Broadway, Thiruporur, and Chennai Central railway station. Each bus, estimated at a cost of around 12 million, will be equipped with batteries offering an 8-hour capacity, rechargeable in just 30 minutes during day breaks. Charging stations will be established at the two depots by the selected private firm, facilitating 4-hour overnight charging. The government will front the money to the winning contractor, utilising a loan from the German Bank (KfW). MTC will retain the entire ticketing revenue, compensating the contractor with a fixed amount based on working hours. Notably, the 100 e-buses will be operated by trained drivers supplied by the private firm, marking a departure from previous practices where MTC crew were responsible. This move towards 'semi-privatisation' has, in the past, raised concerns from transport workers' unions, prompting the formation of a committee by the state transport department to assess the feasibility under the gross cost contract model. Transport Minister S S Sivasankar addressed these concerns, explaining that MTC's expertise lies in diesel engine buses, and they lack the necessary training facilities for electric mobility. He emphasised the collaborative approach with private suppliers and highlighted the agreement reached with unions. The pilot project in Chennai is anticipated to expand to other cities across the state, including Madurai, Trichy, and Coimbatore in the near future.

Next Story
Real Estate

Heena Lalwani Buys Rs 1.13 Billion Juhu Apartment

Heena Lalwani, promoter of Aatman Innovations Private Limited, has purchased a luxury apartment worth Rs 1.13 billion in Mumbai’s upscale Juhu locality, according to property registration documents accessed by Zapkey.com.The 9,862 sq ft apartment, located on the 10th floor of Lodha Developers’ Avalon Tower, was acquired at Rs 115,000 per sq ft and comes with five car parking spaces. The deal, registered on 18 August 2025, also included the payment of Rs 68 million in stamp duty and a Rs 30,000 registration fee.Lodha Developers did not respond to queries regarding the transaction, while the..

Next Story
Real Estate

Godrej Buys KPHB Land for Rs 7 Billion in E-Auction

An acre of prime land in Kukatpally Housing Board (KPHB), Hyderabad, was auctioned for Rs 7 billion, with the Telangana Housing Board generating Rs 5.47 billion from the sale of 7.8 acres through e-auction on 20 August 2025.The auction notification was issued last month, attracting bids from Godrej Properties, Aurobindo Realty, Prestige Estates, and Ashoka Builders, according to Board vice-chairman V.P. Gautham. With an offset price of Rs 4 billion per acre, the three-hour auction saw 46 bid increases, before Godrej Properties acquired the land.Revenue generated from the auction will be utilis..

Next Story
Real Estate

HMDA to Auction 93 Prime Plots in September

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is preparing to conduct a three-day auction of prime open plots across Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts this September.According to official reports, the e-auction will take place on 17, 18, and 19 September, offering 93 plots. Of these, 70 are located in the Bachupally HMDA layout, with the remainder spread across Turkayamjal, Kokapet, Poppalguda, Chandanagar, Bairagiguda, Gandi Maisamma, Suraram, Medipally, and Bachupally village.The highest upset price has been fixed at Rs 175,000 per square yard for a land parce..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?