BJP leader questions supply of buses before successful route trials, seeks accountability over changes to tender conditions
Shimla, Nov 15: Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur has demanded an explanation from the state government over alleged irregularities in the procurement of 297 electric buses by the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), questioning how the vehicles were supplied despite reportedly failing mandatory trials on designated routes.
In a statement issued from Shimla on November 15, Thakur said the issue would be raised during the upcoming winter session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly. He alleged that mandatory tender conditions were altered to facilitate the procurement and demanded that the government disclose who authorised the changes and who benefited from them.
Thakur said the tender had stipulated successful trials on 80 specific routes across Himachal Pradesh before the buses could be manufactured and supplied. The trials were intended to identify technical shortcomings, incorporate necessary modifications in the prototypes and ensure that the buses met operational requirements.
One key condition, he said, required the buses to retain at least 20 per cent battery capacity after covering 180 kilometres on the designated routes. However, he alleged that several buses struggled after travelling around 150 kilometres, forcing them to turn back.
He further claimed that some buses had been delivered to Himachal Pradesh even before the required trials were successfully completed. According to him, an attempt was subsequently made to remove routes where the buses had failed from the tender conditions. A proposal to this effect was reportedly rejected at a board meeting, but the routes were later removed through other measures, he alleged.
Referring to videos showing buses struggling on different routes, Thakur questioned why newly purchased vehicles, reportedly costing around Rs 1.25 crore each, were facing operational difficulties soon after their arrival. He also alleged that the government had warned of FIRs against those circulating videos of the buses breaking down.
The Leader of Opposition sought details of the criteria used to distribute the new fleet among HRTC depots and questioned why buses were procured from a company associated with Chinese manufacturer BYD, despite objections raised by a state minister over the Chinese company’s involvement.
He also raised concerns over the annual maintenance contract (AMC), arguing that the state should develop its own maintenance ecosystem instead of remaining dependent on external agencies as the electric bus fleet expands.
On the broader political front, Thakur accused the state government of failing on law and order, healthcare, employment and other fronts. He alleged that public assets and heritage properties were at risk under what he termed the ‘Himachal on Sale’ campaign, and said the BJP would oppose any move to sell the state’s heritage assets.
The allegations were made by Thakur in his statement. The government’s response to the charges was not included in the release.
Samagra Sikhsha
