E-bus tender faces delay amid Ashok Leyland case

THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST tender for electric buses, covering 10,900 vehicles under the Prime Minister Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM EDRIVE) scheme, has been delayed again after Convergence Energy Services (CESL) missed its December 19 deadline to announce the successful bidders.

- NITIN KUMAR

The delay follows a request by Ashok Leyland to CESL to defer finalisation of the tender, citing a pending case before the Delhi High Court. Sources familiar with the matter said the request has effectively put the tender on hold, with no clarity on when the outcome may be announced.

CESL had earlier informed original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that the results would be declared on December 19. However, the announcement was postponed on the scheduled date after Ashok Leyland issued a formal notice, a senior official at a bus manufacturing company said.