Ahmedabad begins process to set up 52 charging stations for 1,970 new e-buses

The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is set to induct 1,970 electric buses into the city’s public transport fleet, even as questions remain over the availability of adequate charging infrastructure.

During a recent review, the transport department was unable to provide clarity when Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani had sought details on plans for charging the proposed fleet, officials said.

Meanwhile, the civic body has initiated steps to develop electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at 52 locations across Ahmedabad under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The AMC will award the work to private agencies and share revenue generated from the facilities.

As per the proposal, the agency will also pay land rent at the rate of five per cent of the annual jantri value per square metre of the allotted land. The rent will be subject to a 10 per cent annual increase.

The corporation has scheduled a pre-bid meeting on April 8, while technical bids will be opened on April 27. The contract will initially be awarded for five years and may be extended by another five years based on satisfactory performance.

The EV charging policy has been in force in Ahmedabad since 2022. Officials said the rollout of charging infrastructure, which had progressed slowly so far, has gathered pace in recent months amid global fuel uncertainties.

The proposed charging stations will be set up at key locations across the city, including Rakshashakti Circle, Khadiya, Danapith, Jamalpur, Asarwa, Dariyapur, Ramol-Hathijan, Odhav-Nikol, Chandkheda, Motera, Bhimjipura, Usmanpura, Paldi, Ranip, Makarba, Vejalpur, Sarkhej, Vatva, Naroda, Thakkarnagar, Sardarnagar, Gota, Science City Road, S G Highway and ISKCON-Ambli Road, among others.