APSRTC Initiates Major Infrastructure Overhaul for Vijayawada's Electric Bus Depot
The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has embarked on a significant project to develop the necessary civil infrastructure at the Vidhyadhara Puram (VD Puram) bus depot in Vijayawada. This depot is slated for conversion into a dedicated electric bus facility once electric buses are integrated into the city's fleet. In preparation for this transformation, RTC officials in the district have formulated detailed plans to relocate the existing scheduled bus operations to several nearby depots.
Strategic Relocation and Statewide Tender Initiatives
To facilitate the transition, bus services currently operating from VD Puram will be shifted to adjacent depots, including Governorpeta-1 and 2, Ibrahimpatnam, Vuyyuru, and Vijayawada. This move aims to minimize disruption while the depot undergoes extensive upgrades. Concurrently, the APSRTC has issued e-tenders for civil infrastructure development at six bus depots across the state, encompassing VD Puram, Rajamahendravaram, Mangalagiri and Guntur, Nellore, Mangalam, and Kadapa.
Comprehensive Civil Works and Electrical Upgrades at VD Puram
At the VD Puram bus depot, the tenders specifically cover civil yard work, water supply systems, sanitary arrangements, and electrification, with an estimated cost of Rs 10.01 crore. The corporation has set a stringent nine-month deadline for completing these civil works. According to APSRTC NTR deputy chief traffic manager Sai Charan Teja, the project includes elevating the depot, which is currently a low-lying area, by approximately five to six feet to prevent waterlogging during monsoon seasons.
Furthermore, as part of the electrical component, high-tension (HT) lines will be installed to support the development of charging points at the depot. This infrastructure is crucial for accommodating the future electric bus fleet.
Charging Infrastructure and Operational Plans
The official revealed that a total of 20 charging points will be established at the VD Puram bus depot. "Vijayawada has been allocated 100 electric buses, and all of them will be charged at the VD bus depot. In addition to charging facilities, the operation and maintenance of these buses will also be managed from the VD Puram depot," he added. This centralized approach is expected to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
Impact on Current Bus Schedules and Handover Timeline
Currently, the Vidhyadharapuram bus depot operates 88 bus schedules. The majority of these routes are proposed to be transferred to the Governorpeta-1 and 2 bus depots. The routes affected include:
- 47V
- 218
- 7ST
- 26
- 27
- 31J
- 31S
- 15 other routes
According to available information, the bus depot is scheduled to be handed over to the developer in the third or fourth week of this month, marking the commencement of the construction phase. This initiative underscores APSRTC's commitment to modernizing public transport and promoting sustainable mobility in Andhra Pradesh.
