Ashok Leyland, leading commercial vehicle maker, has informed that it will soon commence delivery of the first 50 ultra low entry (ULE) buses to the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC).

The sources informed that this is a part of company's Rs 1,190 crore contract in which it will provide 875 buses this fiscal.

Ashok Leyland functionaries stated in a communiqué that the conglomerate has decided to supply 5,000 buses to various state as well as local transport bodies under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) in fiscal 2009-10.

While addressing the press conference, Mr. Rajiv Saharia, executive director (marketing) of Ashok Leyland stated, "The vehicles are ready and prototypes have already been handed over to DTC."

As per official sources, earlier this fiscal, the company had bagged Rs 480 crore contract from DTC for delivery of the ULE buses. Both parties had also inked Rs 710 crore agreement for maintenance of the buses over a period of 12 years.

As per reports in media, Ashok Leyland along with India's major auto maker Tata Motors had secured the lion's share of Rs 5,000 crore JNNURM contract.