No taker to govt's call for PPP model
Semi low floor buses likely to remain unused
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 29 2012:
With no Service Providers responding to the call of the state government for introduction of Semi Low floor buses under Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, these semi low floor buses are likely to remain unused for quite some time.
According to reliable sources, out of the total 25 semi low floor buses sanctioned under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM), 10 semi low floor buses have been provided for Imphal in 2010 .
Sources pointed out that the semi low floor buses have been provided for plying on the roads in greater Imphal area and a meeting of the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) was held last year during which it was resolved to call for service providers for operating these buses under the PPP model.
As per the resolution, the state government called for applications from the service providers of the state through tender.
But unfortunately, no service providers have responded to the tender notice.
Sources further revealed that the main reason for not turning up of any service providers is due to the huge amount of money that needs to be deposited and the law and order situation of the state.
Re-inviting of tenders was circulated by UMTA in February 22.The tenders are to be opened on April 2 .
If no service providers turn up this time again, the semi low floor busses would probably remain unused for a long time.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that the two semi low floor buses which were put into service on trial run through Paona and Thangal bazaar have been able to generate an amount of Rs 27,285 for the Transport Department.
The two semi low floor buses have been in service in the two market places of Imphal for four days only.