CHENNAI: Only one bidder turned up despite the invitation for three separate tenders to purchase 1,000 buses in Tamil Nadu. The tenders were extended by the Institute of Road Transport (IRT), the central procurement unit of the state's transport system.

Three distinct tenders were issued for the acquisition of 450 buses with a floor height of 1250 mm, 400 buses with a floor height of 1200 mm and 150 low-floor buses with a floor height of 400 mm. The opening dates for the first and second tenders were July 25, while the third tender's opening was set for August 4. Despite the considerable time elapsed since the tender invitations, only one bidder has come forward. This situation has cast uncertainty on the bus procurement process.

A retired official from the Transport Corporation stated that meaningful fluctuations in the auction amounts will only occur if a greater number of participants engage in the bidding process. Awarding the contract to the same bidder raises suspicions, he further added. According to the tender documents, the Tamil Nadu Road Transport Corporation (TNSTC) aims to acquire new buses for several locations including Villupuram, Salem, Coimbatore, Kumbakonam, Madurai and Tirunelveli. Among these, Kumbakonam will receive 250 buses including 38 low-floor buses. Madurai and Villupuram will be allocated 220 and 180 buses respectively. Additionally, the documents specify the allocation of 130 buses for Tirunelveli, 120 buses for Madurai and 100 buses for Salem.

Out of the 1,771 buses funded by the German agency KFW, a total of 402 will be handed over to Tamil Nadu's public transport management agency, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation on August 24. These buses will be available aside from those designated for the State Express Transport Corporation. Vaishnavi Jayakumar, who stands for the rights of disabled people, lodged a petition in the Madras High Court requesting a restriction on the acquisition of buses with a floor height of 900-950 mm. Consequently, tenders for these particular buses were not solicited. Meanwhile, the invitations for tenders to procure 1,000 buses for rural areas and the State Express Transport Corporation are scheduled for the 12th of this month.