States » NorthPosted at: Nov 15 2026 7:13PM


LoP questions procurement of 297 HRTC electric buses, seeks answers from Himachal govt

Shimla, Nov 15 (UNI)Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday questioned the procurement of 297 electric buses for the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), asking how buses were supplied without successful trials on mandatory specified routes and why tender conditions were allegedly changed to accommodate the suppliers.
In a statement issued here, the former Chief Minister said the Sukhu government would have to answer these questions during the upcoming winter session of the Assembly. He also sought an explanation over the alleged removal of routes where the buses had failed to meet prescribed trial requirements.
Thakur said the HRTC tender had made successful trials on 80 specified routes across Himachal Pradesh mandatory before manufacturing and supply. Any shortcomings identified during the trials were to be addressed through modifications in the prototypes, followed by fresh trials. Why, then, were buses manufactured and supplied without fulfilling these conditions, he asked.
He said one of the tender conditions required the buses to cover 180 km on specified routes while retaining at least 20 per cent battery capacity. However, most buses allegedly began facing difficulties after covering around 150 km, forcing them to return midway due to declining battery levels.
He further questioned how the company supplying the buses, which had Chinese firm BYD as a partner, managed to deliver a portion of the fleet to Himachal Pradesh despite the trial conditions not being fulfilled.
Thakur alleged that attempts were subsequently made to remove routes where buses had failed during trials from the tender conditions. A proposal to this effect was placed before the HRTC Board of Directors but was rejected as it was not permissible. Why were the unsuccessful trial routes subsequently removed through other means, he asked.
He said the consequences were now visible, with electric buses reportedly facing difficulties on routes, being called back and services discontinued. Videos showing buses breaking down and passengers pushing them had also surfaced. Why were buses costing around Rs 1.25 crore each facing problems soon after their introduction, he questioned.
The BJP leader also sought to know who authorised changes in the procurement process and whose interests were being served. He demanded details of the formula adopted for distributing the newly purchased buses among various HRTC depots.
Questioning the government's position on Chinese companies, Thakur asked why buses were procured from a company having Chinese participation when the concerned minister had expressed reservations about such firms.
He also raised questions over the annual maintenance contract, asking why the government was not developing its own maintenance infrastructure when it planned to expand the electric bus fleet in the coming years.
Thakur said the government would also have to respond to the BJP's campaign against the alleged sale of state assets during the winter session, asserting that his party would oppose any move to sell Himachal's heritage properties.
He further questioned the government's handling of the law and order situation, healthcare facilities and employment, claiming that employees, pensioners, women, youth, orchardists and farmers were facing difficulties across the state.
UNI BN
Tags: #LoP questions procurement of 297 HRTC electric buses# seeks answers from Himachal govt
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