MTC to complete seven new electric bus depots in Chennai by end of year
The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) is redeveloping seven bus depots across Chennai, including the facility in KK Nagar, into specialized e-depots. The construction of these new facilities is scheduled for completion by the end of the year to support the rollout of additional electric buses next year.
MTC Managing Director Prabhushankar recently inspected the State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) bus depot near Pallavan Illam, where phase two of the Central e-depot will be constructed. According to MTC officials, the existing structure at the site has been demolished, and global electric vehicle manufacturer SWITCH Mobility will construct the new e-depot.
The other six depots undergoing redevelopment are located in Alandur, Avadi, Iyyapanthangal, KK Nagar, Padianallur, and Perambur. MTC officials confirmed that work at these sites is currently at various stages of progress.
Currently, Chennai has 625 low-floor electric buses, comprising both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned models. These vehicles operate on central routes and are stationed across five existing depots in Tondiarpet, Vyasarpadi, Perumbakkam, Poonmallee, and the Central depot near Pallavan Illam.
The upcoming e-depots will provide the infrastructure needed to operate and maintain the additional electric buses expected next year. MTC officials stated that the new electric buses will not replace the existing fleet but will serve as additional services to improve connectivity and increase bus frequency. The existing diesel buses will be redeployed to other diesel depots.
Transport Secretary M Vallalar also inspected the Poonamallee e-depot facility to review ongoing electric bus operations. While SWITCH Mobility has been the sole supplier of electric buses so far, MTC sources indicated that new suppliers will be brought in for the development of future e-depots as well as the supply and management of the fleet.
MTC's scheduled services increased from 3,233 to 3,783 during the last financial year. An additional 75 services have been operated since April due to the steady expansion of the electric bus fleet.
