Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) in the year 2013 has planned to launch 30 low-floor buses in the city, both air-conditioned and non-AC. A meeting was also conducted between officials of automobile company and RMC regarding the issue in November 2013 but till date no steps has been taken to launch the initiative.
Two years has passed away since RMC mooted the idea of launching a fleet of 30 special low floor buses. Funds worth Rs 10 crore were earmarked for the buses, which were further meant to enhance the transportation system in the state.
“Few tenders had been released for the low-floor fleet, but cancelled subsequently. Presently, there are no issues related to it now. Though in mid-2013, they had chosen two companies Ashok leyland and Tata Motors for the purpose. But later, Tata Motors raised objections to the tender process and was unhappy with pricing,” said RMC PRO Naresh Kumar Sinha. Deputy Mayor, Sanjeev Vijaywargia said, “We need to maintain all the buses which we have with us presently. As far as, low floor buses are concerned we are in constant touch with the Urban Development department about it. We will keep the issues in the next financial year meeting. However, looking at the present status of city low floor buses project need to be discussed again.”
Constant reshuffling in the urban development department and the civic body in past two years proved to be a major restraint for this project. “Foremost issues regarding the buses are that, we need to maintain our roads accordingly. Then controlling city traffic is another major hurdle. We need to overcome some vital issues first then start the low floor buses service in State capital,” informed Urban Development Minister, C P Singh.