UP invites Mercedes Benz, Marcopolo to set up units

Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav taking keen interest in highway projects

The Uttar Pradesh government has invited automotive majors such as Mercedes Benz, Marcopolo and Scania to set up manufacturing units in the state. A high-level delegation, led by state's transport minister Durga Prasad Yadav, held discussions with representatives of these companies on the sidelines of ‘Grow With Bus Public Transport’ conference in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

With Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav taking a keen interest in highway projects and the proposed Agra-Lucknow expressway project taking wings, the plying of buses is bound to increase in the years to come.

All these companies are among the world’s leading bus manufacturers. While, Mercedes and Scania are European companies, Marcopolo is headquartered in Brazil. “We have invited these companies to visit UP for due diligence and examine the investment potential in the state,” a senior delegation member told Business Standard.

Tata Marcopolo, the joint venture between Tata Motors and Marcopolo SA, already has a manufacturing base on the outskirts of Lucknow.

The conference was organised by International Association for Public Transport. The biennial conference provides insight into the world's best-in-class practices and showcases international excellence in bus operations. The UP delegation held similar talks with spare parts, ancillaries and tyre manufacturers.

Meanwhile, state utility UP State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the association to upgrade the public transport infrastructure in the state.

Representatives from nearly 50 countries had participated in this conference. Further, the state delegation studied the public transport system of Rio De Janeiro, which is the second largest city in Brazil.

After hosting 2014 FIFA World Cup for soccer, Rio is now gearing up to host  the Olympic Games in August 2016.

Representatives from about 10 Indian states, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Karnataka, had participated in the conference held during November 5-7.

The UP delegation also visited Sao Polo to study elevated Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS). BRTS is a high capacity, low cost public transit solution aimed at improving urban mobility. Under this system, buses ply on dedicated lanes for speed.

UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had already directed officials to introduce BRTS in Noida.