Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, on Aug.11, inaugurated the modernised Perumbakkam bus depot and flagged off 135 new electric buses. The project, valued at ₹49.56 crore, aims to enhance public transport infrastructure and reduce environmental pollution in Chennai.
The launch is the second phase of a massive initiative by the Metropolitan Transport Corporation to introduce a total of 625 low-floor electric buses across the city. The project, funded by the World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) under the Chennai City Partnership-Sustainable Urban Services Program (CCP-SUSP), is a major step toward reducing carbon emissions.
The 135 new buses, valued at ₹233 crore, include 55 low-floor air-conditioned buses and 80 low-floor non-AC buses. These buses feature special design elements for passenger comfort and safety, including:
- An adjustable low floor (40 cm, which can be lowered to 25 cm) to allow easy boarding for senior citizens, people with disabilities, and children.
- Wider seating and aisle space for a more comfortable travel experience.
- CCTV cameras installed for enhanced safety and security, especially for women.
- A new monthly pass priced at ₹2,000 for the AC buses.
These buses will serve various key routes connecting areas like Kelambakkam, Siruseri IT Park, Thiruvanmiyur, and Tambaram to major transport hubs such as Central, Broadway, and Chennai Airport.
The first phase of the project, including the launch of 120 new electric buses, was inaugurated by the Chief Minister on June 30 at the Vyasarpadi electric bus depot. Work is currently underway to upgrade and prepare three other depots—Poonamallee, Central Depot, and Tondiarpet-1—for the remaining buses.
Officials noted that each diesel bus emits approximately 755 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre. The introduction of these new electric buses will significantly reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality in the rapidly urbanising city.
The event was attended by Transport and Electricity Minister S.S.Sivasankar, MLAs S.Aravind Ramesh and A.M.V.Prabhakar Raja, and senior officials from the Transport Department and MTC. The CEOs of OHM Global Mobility and Switch Mobility, as well as officials from Ashok Leyland and TANGEDCO, were also present.
