BEST Issues Show Cause Notice To Company For Not Supplying Electric Buses

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation-led public transport undertaking Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) has recently issued a show cause notice to its wet lease contractor for being unable to supply 700 double-decker AC electric buses on time. It may be recalled that BEST plies buses in Mumbai city limits.  

According to the agreement between BEST and the company signed in May 2022, the company was supposed to provide a prototype by 4 October last year. If approved, the supply of buses would start within six months. But even after a year of the deal, the prototype has not been presented, as per the reports. 

BEST general manager Vijay Singhal, said that a show cause notice has been issued to Causis E-Mobility and that legal action will be taken against the company.

“Two firms were given the contract for 900 double-decker electric buses, of which Causis E-Mobility was to provide 700. However, the company has failed to supply buses or the prototype as per the contract,' he said.

The firm was also warned of confiscating the deposit amount of over Rs 3 crore, officials said.

A new tender for 700 e-buses will be issued soon by BEST. Additionally, it will provide a proposal to the state administration for the recovery of funds from Causis E-Mobility in the event that they receive a higher bid in a subsequent tender than the original contract value.

With a contract for 2,100 AC e-buses, wet leasing contractor Olectra is preparing to deliver new buses to the public transport company. By March 2024, delivery of every bus has been promised. According to Singhal, the aforementioned contractor will begin supplying buses in limited quantities in August or September.