Odisha Govt to roll out Double-Decker Electric Buses in Bhubaneswar soon
By C.R.Beura
Bhubaneswar, Dec.10 : The Odisha government is gearing up to introduce double-decker electric buses in Bhubaneswar, marking a significant step toward sustainable urban transportation. The Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) has already floated a tender, inviting private organizations to participate in the project.
According to sources, CRUT plans to deploy five double-decker electric buses in the first phase, covering key routes across Khordha, Puri, and Cuttack districts.
A 10-year contract will be signed with a private firm for the buses’ supply, operation, maintenance, and staffing. The contract may be extended for an additional two years, subject to performance and operational conditions.
CRUT aims to harness green energy for its fleet, promoting eco-friendly and sustainable shared mobility under a Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model through a designated fleet operator.
“This Request for Proposal (RFP) invites bids for manufacturing, supplying, and maintaining five air-conditioned, fully built double-decker electric buses with chargers for a period of 10+2 years. The buses will primarily be deployed for tourism and other routes decided by the Authority,” stated the official CRUT notification.
The service areas may be expanded as CRUT’s operations grow. The selection of the bus operator will follow an open competitive bidding process, adhering to the outlined procedures.
The agreement will remain valid for ten years from the buses’ Commercial Operations Date (COD), with a potential two-year extension based on performance and bus condition. The selected operator must procure fully built buses from certified manufacturers as per CRUT’s specifications. Ownership of the buses will remain with the operator throughout the contract period, with all buses registered in the operator’s name.
The initiative reflects the state government’s commitment to promoting sustainable and efficient urban transportation.
