Mumbai: The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has issued a stern notice to contractor company Evey Trans Pvt Ltd for failing to meet the agreed deadline for supplying electric buses. The corporation has warned that the contract will be cancelled if the company does not deliver at least 1,287 buses by May 22, as per reports.
MSRTC chairman and IAS officer Sanjay Sethi has taken a tough stance on the delay, stating that the transport body cannot afford setbacks in its fleet expansion plans. The state-run transport corporation had signed a contract with Evey Trans on November 2, 2023, for the supply of 5,150 electric buses over a two-year period. As per the agreement, the company was required to deliver 1,935 buses by January 2025 and complete the full order by June 2026, reported the Indian Express.
However, with only 220 buses delivered so far, the company has fallen behind schedule. Repeated reminders from MSRTC have failed to yield results, forcing the corporation to escalate the matter with a formal notice. If Evey Trans fails to comply with the new ultimatum, MSRTC is prepared to terminate the contract and explore alternative arrangements.
MSRTC Floats Tender For 3,000 Buses
Meanwhile, in a separate initiative, MSRTC recently moved forward with plans to expand its fleet by acquiring 3,000 ready-built diesel buses. The transport body has issued an e-tender for procurement, with the bid submission deadline set for May 14. The tenders will be opened the following day.
These 11-meter diesel buses will come with a Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract (CAMC) covering the engine and related systems. Under this agreement, successful bidders will be responsible for maintaining the engine and associated components for seven years, while MSRTC’s in-house mechanics will handle maintenance of other parts.
Currently, MSRTC operates a fleet of approximately 14,500 buses, catering to passengers across Maharashtra through 251 depots and 31 divisions. The addition of new diesel and electric buses is part of the corporation’s broader effort to modernize its fleet and improve public transport services in the state.
