UP govt intends PPP route for transport sector

Lucknow: For attracting private investment in the transport sector and developing it through the public-private partnership (PPP) route, the UP government will soon invite Expressions of Interest (EoIs) from the private sector.

The advertisement for EoI will be issued on April 25 and later the Request for Proposal (RFP) would be issued.

“We have adopted PPP model for attracting private investment in transport sector with nil financial participation by the state government,” said Desh Deepak Verma, principal secretary transport, UP government, adding: “We will insert advertisement on April 25, for EoI by the private sector and RFP would be issued”.

“The Allahabad high court has not stayed the process of EoI and RFP, the court has only restrained the state government from issuing permits to the private operators until the writ filed by the state run UP State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) staff is disposed off'.

“Only those operators with minimum fleet of 1,000 buses with GPS and LED screen facility will be allowed to participate in the bidding for plying of buses on the 460 route” said Verma adding “small operators could also take part in the process by forming cooperative society but the condition of minimum fleet size will apply here also.