Finding no takers for JnNURM buses
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: April 23, 2012 -

Semi-low floor bus for ferrying passengers within the market areas in Imphal on February 23 2012 - Pix :: David M Mayum

It has come as no surprise to us to learn that no private bidders have responded to repeated tender notices for operating services of semi-low floor buses sanctioned to Manipur under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission (JNNURM).

As we have pointed out at the time of launching the bus service on February 23 last, plying 650 mm size semi-low floor buses on the existing roads of Imphal city is not at all a viable option.

With no tankers to the repeated tender bids, an embarrassing situation has been created for the State Government, particularly its Transport Department, in trying to work out the routes for operation of semi-low floor bus services in different parts of Imphal.

Launched in 2005 by Union Ministry of Urban Development, JnNURM aims to encourage urban level reforms and fast tract planned infrastructures development of 65 identified 'mission cities' including Imphal.

Depending on their sizes and specifications, six types of semi-low floor buses have been offered - 900/850 mm, 650 mm, 650 mm AC, 400 mm AC and Mini/Midi- under the Project for the State Governments concerned of the identified mission cities to make their selection.

The financing pattern for procurement of these buses in Northeastern states including Manipur is 90:10. Out of twenty-five 650 mm (medium) semi-low floor buses sanctioned to Manipur under the project at a total estimated cost of Rs 6.75 crores, 11 buses have so far reached Imphal but only two have been place in service on trial basis since February 23 last.

Even as questions have been raised over the wisdom of the Government of Manipur in opting for 650 mm (medium size) semi-low floor buses without consideration over suitability for service on the existing road conditions, we need to understand why no private bidders have shown interest to operation of these bus services.

The terms and conditions of the tender, which again are closely related to the in 'bad choice' of bus type, are at heart of failure of attracting bidders.

The terms and conditions of the tender stated that interested bidders have to give back the cost of the buses (each costing Rs 25 lakhs) to the State Government in installments within 7 years of service operation, and on completion of payment, the service operators would become the sole ownership of these buses.

In addition to payment of monthly salary to the drivers and the handymen, the service operators have to be responsible for maintenance of the buses.

Furthermore, at the time of submitting the tender forms, the bidders have to attach an authorization letter of a bank which would be held responsible for repayment in case the private firms fail.

All these sound very good, but the question is who would come up to grasp the offer in the light of existing road conditions and the returns to be accrued from operating the services of these cumbersome buses.

This is also a fact which could not miss the attention of the banks that are supposed to issue authorization letter.

Instead of the medium sized buses, had the State Government been wise enough to opt for cost effective Mini-Midi buses, which are more suitable to the existing road conditions, the number of sanctioned buses could have been increased, thus leading to a corresponding increase in the frequency of buses to be plied and the present problem could have been resolved to a large extent.

Lack of not just foresight but also insight on the part of the Government of Manipur has been undoing of many an ambitious project in the state and JnNURM bus service has been no exception.