Tamil Nadu approves 1,000 new air-conditioned buses for Chennai
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has sanctioned Rs 500 crore for infrastructure to support the new electric bus fleet.
The Tamil Nadu government has approved the purchase of 1,000 air-conditioned electric buses for the Chennai Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), according to an official release reported by BusinessLine. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay ordered the procurement under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model, where private operators will supply the buses, drivers, maintenance, and operations.
The state has sanctioned Rs 500 crore for the electrical and mechanical infrastructure required at transport corporation depots to support the new electric buses. This allocation aims to modernise Chennai's public transport and reduce environmental pollution. Under the GCC model, state transport undertakings will continue to deploy conductors on the buses.
In a separate move, the government has approved Rs 17.99 crore to install vehicle location tracking devices across 13,490 buses and emergency alert buttons across 13,776 buses. According to Urban Acres, these devices will be installed across eight transport corporations to allow authorities to monitor bus locations, speed, and routes in real time.
The monitoring system is intended to strengthen passenger safety and improve operational supervision. The Deccan Chronicle reported that the tracking devices and panic buttons will be linked to a central control centre to provide immediate assistance during emergencies.
Chief Minister Vijay has instructed transport corporations to expedite the implementation of both the AC bus procurement and the vehicle-monitoring measures, according to a government statement reported by Urban Acres.