The Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) is experiencing significant delays in rolling out its planned fleet expansion. The CTU had procured 60 new bus chassis intended for long-route services over three months ago. However, the buses are still awaiting body fabrication, which has stalled their deployment.
The chassis, which arrived at the CTU’s depot No.2 in Industrial Area Phase-1 in early April, have remained idle due to a delay in issuing a tender for the fabrication of the bus bodies. This delay has been attributed to the imposition of the model code of conduct during the recent elections, which further complicated the tendering process. The CTU initially aimed to replace an equal number of older buses with these new models. The delay in body fabrication has led to mounting concerns about the current fleet’s efficiency and the public’s access to improved transport options. According to officials, the department is now assessing fabrication rates across various states to ensure cost-effectiveness and quality in the final decision.
A CTU official explained that this approach—purchasing bus chassis first and fabricating the bodies later—is standard practice for non-AC buses due to its cost efficiency and the ability to customise the bodies to meet specific requirements. This method was similarly employed in the 2017-18 procurement cycle. However, the protracted period of exposure to the elements has raised concerns about the condition of the chassis. Additional delays have been attributed to bureaucratic inefficiencies, with files moving slowly through the approval process.
A senior transport department official assured that the final approval for issuing a work order to the lowest bidder is imminent. The department expects to resolve these issues and finalise the work order by next week, allowing the fabrication process to proceed. Once operational, these new buses are anticipated to enhance public transport services significantly, offering upgraded facilities and more reliable service on numerous routes. The swift resolution of the current delays is crucial for meeting the CTU’s commitment to improving transport infrastructure in Chandigarh.
