The Hindu : New Delhi News : Special company for execution of bus projects

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 06, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Special company for execution of bus projects

By Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI, OCT. 5. Pushing ahead with a multi-modal transport system that is not only modern but also environment-friendly and futuristic, the Delhi Government proposes to float a Special Purpose Company (SPC) on the lines of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation for execution of the High Capacity Bus system and the Electric Trolley Bus (ETB) projects in the Capital.

The idea behind the whole concept is not to let these important projects get bogged down by inter-departmental hassles and allow them to flourish and get implemented within a limited time frame. "A proposal has been prepared for setting up the SPC and the same would be presented before the Cabinet for consideration very shortly,'' Delhi's Transport Minister, Haroon Yusuf, said today. He said the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, was very keen on implementation of the project and this was the reason why a special company was being formed to run the affairs of High Capacity Bus system. At present, the Transport Department was handling the implementation of the entire High Capacity Bus system project and it was felt that a separate set-up would enable things to roll out more effectively and efficiently. However, it is learnt that the proposal for the special company is yet to the cleared by the Finance Department that is understood to have raised some queries on the issue.

According to the Secretary (Transport), Rajeev Talwar, the proposal for re-designing and improvement of the identified corridor -- Ambedkar Nagar to Moolchand -- has already been approved by the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC). The pre-qualification bid for construction of the corridor has been finalised with RITES, IIT (Delhi) and Public Works Department. The same will be issued shortly. The Government has already approved the purchase of six High Capacity Buses from TATA for which orders have been placed. The delivery of buses is likely to start from October and all buses will be delivered by January 2005.

On the other hand, the Government is also going ahead with the implementation of the ETC project and already a presentation has been made to EFC for civil works of the ETB corridor. It is proposed to run ETBs on a total route of 83.5 km within city limits. Initially, about four routes have been identified. The first corridor will run from Tilak Nagar to Dhaula Kuan, a total distance of 10.2 km. The second 11.2 km route is between Anand Vihar-Mayur Vihar Phase-2, Pandav Nagar, and Sarai Kale Khan. Two other routes between Dhaula Kuan to Udyog Vihar (Gurgaon) and on Inner Ring Road have also been identified but they are unlikely to be taken up in the first phase.

The ETBs are electrically propelled vehicles with pneumatic tyres, drawing power from overhead conductors called trolley wires and ply on roads like any other vehicle alongside them. While no special track is required, ETBs have sideward manoeuvrability to overtake slow moving vehicles. The ETBs are capable of high acceleration and retardation, which enables them to attain higher average speeds despite frequent stops.

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