Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Inaugurates PMPML’s Charholi and Man E-Bus Depots

State Government Committed to Providing Excellent Public Transport – Deputy CM Ajit Pawar

Pune : Deputy Chief Minister and Pune District Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar inaugurated the Charholi and Man electric bus depots of the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) today. The event marked a significant step toward enhancing urban transport services in Pune. Addressing the gathering, Pawar announced that 1,500 new buses would soon be added to PMPML’s fleet, and reiterated the state government’s commitment to strengthening Pune’s transport infrastructure through metro expansions, ring roads, and increased bus connectivity.

The Charholi depot was inaugurated in person, while the Man depot was launched virtually. The event was attended by Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Anna Bansode, MLA Bapusaheb Pathare, Pune Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale, PMPML Chairperson and MD Deepa Mudhol-Munde, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh, and PMPML Joint MD Nitin Narvekar.

Ajit Pawar revealed that 30 e-buses would be allotted to the Man depot and 60 e-buses to the Charholi depot on a Gross Cost Contract (GCC) basis. He stated that PMPML had received ₹230 crore from the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) to procure 500 CNG buses. Additionally, ₹150 crore from Pune Municipal Corporation and ₹100 crore from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation would help acquire another 500 CNG buses, and 500 more electric buses would be added under GCC. This phased rollout reflects the government’s “Green Maharashtra” vision, he added.

Pawar also discussed long-term transport solutions, including the construction of outer ring roads by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation and plans for inner ring roads by PMRDA. Metro rail connectivity is being expanded with financial contributions shared among the central government, state government, and both municipal corporations, along with support from financial institutions. The Swargate-Katraj metro line has already received central approval, and proposals for additional routes such as Khadakwasla–Swargate–Hadapsar–Kharadi and Nal Stop–Warje–Manikbagh have been submitted.

Regarding employee welfare, Pawar highlighted the regularization of 1,467 contract workers in 2015 and 1,700 workers in November 2024. The pending dues under the 7th Pay Commission would be cleared in four phases.

Calling on citizens to cooperate with government and administrative efforts, Pawar expressed his vision of transforming Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad into model smart cities. He noted that by 2041, Pimpri-Chinchwad’s population is expected to reach 6.1 million, necessitating better planning for water, roads, metro, and railway services. He said water is currently being sourced from Pavana and Andra dams, and efforts are underway to access water from Thokarwadi Dam and to reserve Mulshi Dam’s water for agriculture.

On the housing front, the government is taking major steps under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) to provide homes to workers and families from the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). Currently, 30,000 homes are being constructed in urban areas of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and 5,000 homes in rural regions. Beneficiaries will receive ₹2.5 lakh under PMAY, ₹2 lakh from the Construction Workers’ Board (for eligible workers), and ₹30,000 under the Surya Ghar solar scheme for household solar power.

Speaking at the event, Deepa Mudhol-Munde said PMPML currently operates 1,967 buses covering 310,000 kilometers daily, serving nearly 1.25 million passengers. With 15 depots already functioning, the addition of two new e-bus depots marks a milestone. She added that PMPML’s mobile app has received an excellent public response and has earned two national awards for its digital initiatives. Going forward, PMPML plans to implement AI-based conductor-less smart bus systems focused on safety and accident-free services.

The event began with a tribute to the victims of a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. Following the inauguration of the depots, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar also launched the new e-buses and inspected the fleet.