Jagran correspondent, Noida. E-bus service will not be available in Gautam Buddha Nagar right now. The government has canceled the tender if the SPV has not been formed and it has been completed for more than 180 days. Two companies were selected through tender about six months ago. These companies were to operate the buses. Now it will be processed again at the government level. However, this time a lot of changes are expected.
Authority CEO Dr. Lokesh M said that the company's EMD will be refunded. Tender will be issued for operating the buses again. SPV will also be formed at the government level. Possibly this time UPSRTC can be included in it. The bus infrastructure like bus depot, charging point, service center will be created by the authority.
This entire process may take 30 days. In such a situation, e-city bus service can be seen running in Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Vikas in February. Actually, the plan was that 500 electric buses would run in Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway area. It was considered important for public transport. This scheme is worth about Rs 675 crore.
Noida Authority was made its nodal. It was the responsibility of Noida to form the SPV. However, due to lack of response from other authorities, SPV could not be formed.
All three authorities will demand buses on demand. Meaning, only as much as is needed. By doing this, the burden of Viability Gap Funding (VGF) on the three authorities will also be reduced and better infrastructure can be created. Routes will be defined as to where the buses will run. SPP will be made at the government level and all three authorities will provide infrastructure.
Two companies were selected six months ago
About six months ago, Travel Time Mobility India and Delbus Mobility were selected to supply, operate and maintain the buses on a 12-year gross cost model. But the joint SPV named GBN Green Transport Limited through which the service is to be run could not be formed. Due to non-formation of SPV, final agreement was not reached with the company and the tender was cancelled.
Financial burden will have to be reduced
The bus model will require VGF of Rs 225 crore annually, of which Noida Authority alone will have to bear more than Rs 107 crore. It would be risky to take on such a huge financial responsibility without demand and system being ready. Thus, the future of the entire project now hinges on the state government's decision whether it will take it forward in a phased manner or the entire model will be redesigned.