Modi Government’s Big Gift to Pune: 1,000 E-Buses Approved for the City
Modi Government’s Big Gift to Pune: 1,000 E-Buses Approved for the City
- Efforts of Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol bear fruit
- Final approval granted by Union Minister for Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy
Pune: In great news for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad residents, the Central Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the purchase of 1,000 electric buses (E-buses) for Pune under the PM E-Drive Scheme. The final approval was given by Union Minister for Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy. These buses will soon be added to the fleet of the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML), strengthening the city’s public transport system, easing traffic congestion, and helping reduce pollution, informed Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol.
PMPML serves as the main public transport network across Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) limits. The organization currently operates around 2,000 buses, of which approximately 750 are owned by PMPML and the rest are operated by contractors. Considering the rapid expansion and rising population of the region, PMPML needs at least 3,000 buses for effective service.
To meet this growing demand, Murlidhar Mohol had been consistently pursuing the proposal to add new buses to the PMPML fleet with both the state and central governments. He held several meetings and followed up with H.D. Kumaraswamy, which has now led to success. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also played a key role in the process.
Mohol explained that to secure the required funding, he had met with Chief Minister Fadnavis and requested the state government to send the necessary letter to the Reserve Bank of India. Following this, the proposal for 1,000 E-buses was forwarded by PMPML to the Union Ministry of Heavy Industries. Two weeks ago, Mohol met Kumaraswamy in New Delhi to discuss the proposal in detail. Kumaraswamy had assured him that the proposal would be expedited, and as a result, it was approved in Tuesday’s Union Cabinet meeting. This approval officially clears the way for PMPML to receive 1,000 new E-buses.
“Our priority is to strengthen Pune’s public transport network. The city already has a 32-km metro route in operation, and the Shivajinagar–Hinjewadi Metro line will start soon. Several extended metro routes have also been approved. Alongside these developments, empowering PMPML has been one of my main agendas. I’ve been working continuously to bring more buses into its fleet, and now that our efforts have succeeded, ensuring their timely inclusion will be my top focus,” said Murlidhar Mohol.
He added, “Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Central Government has always prioritized holistic, well-planned, and sustainable urban development, with a special focus on strengthening public transport. On behalf of Pune’s citizens, I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving the purchase of these 1,000 new E-buses for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. I also express my gratitude to Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for their cooperation and support.”
