Minister Sivasankar inspects e-bus infra work at Vyasarpadi depot ahead of June launch
The minister reviewed the status of the works and directed officials to accelerate the remaining components to ensure that services can begin for the public by June 2025.
Transport and Electricity minister SS Sivasankar reviews construction works under way at Vyasarpadi depot, on Saturday
CHENNAI: Minister for Transport and Electricity SS Sivasankar, on Saturday, inspected the Metropolitan Transport Corporation's (MTC) Vyasarpadi depot, where construction works for the launch of electric bus services are under way.
To curb air pollution in the city, the MTC has planned to operate 625 electric buses including 225 AC electric buses across five bus depots including Vyasarpadi. Corresponding civil and electrical works — including charging infrastructure — are in progress at all five locations.
The minister reviewed the status of the works and directed officials to accelerate the remaining components to ensure that services can begin for the public by June 2025.
The inspection covered key civil and electrical upgrades currently under way at the depot. These include the refurbishment of the maintenance shed, construction of a new administrative block, improved rest facilities for staff, installation of power transformers, and the implementation of fire safety equipment.
This initiative is part of the Chennai City Partnership Programme which is supported by the World Bank. Under this programme, MTC has awarded a contract to OHM Global Mobility Pvt Ltd — a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility — for the procurement, supply, operation, and maintenance of 625 low-floor electric buses. The contract follows a gross cost contracting model.
The 625 electric buses will be distributed across five depots in Chennai. The Central depot will house 145 buses, Perumbakkam will accommodate 135, Poonamallee will operate 125, Vyasarpadi will manage 120, and Tondiarpet will handle 100 buses.
During the inspection, Sivasankar reiterated the state government's commitment to promoting environmentally sustainable urban transport. He instructed officials to maintain high standards of quality and to ensure timely completion of the works.
He was accompanied by MTC managing director T Prabhusankar, joint managing director S Natarajan, senior engineers from TNPDCL, and other departmental officers.