Tamil Nadu’s free bicycle scheme for 532,388 students in Classes 11 and 12 has secured lower procurement prices after nine rounds of negotiations between the state government and Hero Cycles, with delivery expected within five months.
The bicycles will be distributed to students in government and government-aided schools through the Backward Classes Welfare Department. The scheme covers both boys and girls and is intended to provide bicycles with features including a helmet and a provision to carry a water bottle, according to a report by Dinamalar.
The state government had allocated ₹277 crore for implementing the programme and invited a tender through the Backward Classes Welfare Department. The contract for supplying bicycles to the 532,388 students was awarded to Hero Cycles.
The initial purchase price, including taxes, was fixed at ₹7,235 per bicycle for boys and ₹7,476 for girls. The government subsequently pressed for a reduction in the procurement cost during negotiations with the company.
Following nine rounds of discussions, Hero Cycles agreed to supply bicycles for ₹5,260 each for boys and ₹5,130 each for girls. The revised rates were formalised through an agreement signed with the company, the report said.
The scheme has direct implications for student mobility, particularly for adolescents travelling to government and aided schools from areas where public transport access may be limited or costly. However, the supplied report does not specify the district-wise distribution plan, the number of bicycles to be delivered in each phase, or the quality-control arrangements for the new design.
The programme also places the focus on public procurement as well as delivery. The revised prices may reduce the state’s purchase cost, but the final public expenditure will depend on the contract terms, taxes, logistics, inspection and distribution arrangements. These details were not provided in the report.
Hero Cycles has stated that the bicycles will be supplied within five months. The next key milestone is therefore the completion of deliveries to the identified Class 11 and 12 students through the Backward Classes Welfare Department.
