Ahmedabad's Electric Bus Ambition Stalls Over Parking Crisis
The Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) and the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) have unveiled a bold strategy to introduce approximately 3,000 electric buses by 2030. This initiative is designed to address the escalating transport demands of the city's expanding population and to support major upcoming events, including the Commonwealth Games and a potential bid for the 2036 Olympics.
Parking Predicament Threatens Green Mobility Vision
However, this forward-thinking plan has encountered a significant obstacle: a critical lack of parking infrastructure. Sources reveal that for the past 25 years, the AMC has ceased reserving plots specifically for bus terminals in its town planning schemes, creating a severe space crunch. This oversight now jeopardizes the entire electric bus rollout, as there are currently no available plots to accommodate the new fleet.
The immediate challenge involves a pending proposal for 300 electric buses, each measuring 12 meters in length. If the AMTS is already struggling to find parking for this initial batch, the task of housing 3,000 buses appears daunting. An anonymous AMC official highlighted that land thrice the current available area will be required, prompting requests to the estate department for plots.
Proposals on Hold and Temporary Solutions
Three companies have submitted proposals to operate the initial 300 buses at a rate of Rs 91.08 per kilometer, but these are currently on hold due to the election code of conduct. In response to the parking shortage, temporary arrangements are being considered. These include utilizing plots reserved for other public purposes or altering the designated use of existing plots to serve as bus depots.
An AMTS official elaborated on the phased approach: "Plans are firmly in place to deploy 3,000 new electric buses ahead of the 2030 Commonwealth Games. From 2027-28 to 2030-31, we aim to operationalize over 1,582 buses, all of which will need dedicated parking depots."
Strategic Steps and Future Funding
To tackle this issue, the AMTS has obtained a list of reserved plots along the SP Ring Road from the AMC's estate department. Plots from this list will be selected for developing depots. Additionally, there are plans to seek state government grants for establishing new routes and depots on the outer periphery of the Ring Road, aiming to create a more sustainable and efficient transport network.
This comprehensive effort underscores Ahmedabad's commitment to enhancing public transportation while navigating the complex challenges of urban planning and infrastructure development.
