APSRTC, including its fixed and movable assets, will continue to be under government – Electric buses to be introduced in phases – Palle Velugu services to be converted to AC buses soon – 300 additional electric buses for Tirumala.
AP State Transport Department Special Chief Secretary M.T. Krishnababu
Raja Pentapati- AP Bureau ChiefAMARAVATI July 9th Bharat Degital News
NATIONAL
(Five-Star Rated News Service by Google)
State Transport Department Special Chief Secretary M.T. Krishnababu has clarified that there is no intention to privatize APSRTC and that the government’s main goal is to establish a modern public transport system with electric buses.
He said that the campaign that APSRTC is being privatized is completely baseless and that the company’s assets, depots and lands are not going to be transferred to private companies under any circumstances.
He said that the government will formulate a policy acceptable to all in this regard by continuing full consultations with the employee unions. He appealed to the employees and the public to believe only the facts without being misled.
In the wake of doubts expressed by some quarters and employee unions about the introduction of electric buses, and several articles coming out in the media, he spoke to journalists at the publicity department of the State Secretariat on Thursday and gave a comprehensive explanation on various issues.
All lands, depots, buildings and other immovable properties belonging to APSRTC will continue to be owned by APSRTC as usual.
He clarified that the companies supplying electric buses are being allowed to use the company premises only to the extent required for the operation of services during the contract period, and there will be no lease, transfer of ownership or transfer of assets.
He said that the introduction of electric buses is not an independent scheme prepared by the state government, but it is part of the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme implemented by the central government.
He said that the central government has sanctioned a total of 10,000 electric buses to provide services to towns with a population of more than 5 lakhs across the country. He said that buses are being allocated to 22 states and 6 union territories in a uniform manner as part of this scheme.
He revealed that 750 electric buses will be introduced in 11 towns in the state. He said that new depots will be set up wherever necessary for this. He said that new depots and charging infrastructure are being set up in Simhapuri, Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry and other areas where government lands are available.
He clarified that there will be no measures like laying off employees, declaring them as additional staff or making them unemployed with the introduction of electric buses.
He said that the state government is moving forward with the aim of converting diesel buses into APSRTC to electric buses in phases between 2024-2029 as per the Sustainable Electric Mobility Policy (SEMP)-4.0.
Although the central government is implementing the GCC policy, the state government is also studying various alternative policies keeping in mind the interests of the employees. He said that they are considering models such as the Dry Lease Model, the use of RTC drivers, conducting general mechanical maintenance with APSRTC staff, and handing over the maintenance of key components like the electrical system and batteries to the manufacturing company.
He said that the Chief Minister Shri Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s goal is to introduce fully air-conditioned electric buses in all departments, including the Palle Velugu services running in rural areas, in a phased manner.
He said that the reimbursement policy is being implemented only after a comprehensive examination of the financial condition and needs of the organization, and the government will provide further support if necessary in the future.
He said that the government’s goal is to introduce electric buses in the state in a phased manner in the next five years, replacing diesel buses. He said that the old buses, which have completed 15 years of service, will be replaced with new e-buses.
He said that in the first phase, 750 electric buses will be available in the months of August-September, and the tender process for 300 electric buses for Tirumala is underway.
Swacha Andhra Pradesh
