The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is set to induct 1,970 electric buses into the city’s public transport fleet, even as concerns persist over the availability of adequate charging infrastructure.
During a recent review meeting, the transport department failed to provide clear details when Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani sought information on plans to support charging for the proposed fleet, officials said.
Meanwhile, the civic body has initiated steps to set up electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at 52 locations across Ahmedabad under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The AMC will award the contracts to private agencies and share the revenue generated from these facilities.
As per the proposal, the selected agency will also be required to pay land rent at the rate of five per cent of the annual jantri value per square metre of the allotted land, with a provision for a 10 per cent annual increase.
The corporation has scheduled a pre-bid meeting on April 8, while technical bids will be opened on April 27. The contract will initially be awarded for five years and may be extended by another five years based on performance.
Ahmedabad’s EV charging policy has been in effect since 2022. Officials said that while progress had been slow earlier, the rollout of charging infrastructure has picked up pace in recent months amid global fuel uncertainties.
The proposed charging stations will be established at key locations across the city, including Rakshashakti Circle, Khadiya, Danapith, Jamalpur, Asarwa, Dariyapur, Ramol-Hathijan, Odhav-Nikol, Chandkheda, Motera, Bhimjipura, Usmanpura, Paldi, Ranip, Makarba, Vejalpur, Sarkhej, Vatva, Naroda, Thakkarnagar, Sardarnagar, Gota, Science City Road, S G Highway and ISKCON-Ambli Road, among others.