Maharashtra is preparing to expand its electric vehicle charging network by using public transport depots, Regional Transport Offices and potentially selected flyovers as charging locations. The proposed approach could widen access to charging beyond commercial hubs, while supporting the state’s longer-term shift towards cleaner road transport and reducing one of the key infrastructure barriers to wider EV adoption. The Maharashtra government is examining charging facilities at Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation depots and Regional Transport Offices across the state. The proposal also includes the possible use of flyover spaces managed by state and regional infrastructure agencies.
A public-private partnership model is being considered for the flyover installations. Under such an arrangement, public authorities could provide suitable land or infrastructure while private operators invest in and manage charging facilities. The model could reduce the immediate financial burden on government agencies, although clear standards for pricing, maintenance, accessibility and long-term public use would be important before such projects move ahead. The proposed EV charging network has significance beyond private cars. Government depots are strategic locations because they already serve large numbers of passengers and public transport vehicles. Locating chargers there could support the gradual electrification of buses and other commercial fleets, while also creating charging points in areas that may otherwise have limited private investment. The transport department has also linked the infrastructure push to the planned transition of the state bus network towards electric mobility.
A senior transport official has indicated that MSRTC is targeting an all-electric bus fleet by 2036. Achieving that ambition would require much more than purchasing vehicles. Depot-level charging capacity, grid connections, power upgrades and reliable maintenance systems would need to develop alongside fleet replacement. For urban areas, the use of flyovers presents a different planning challenge. Such infrastructure was primarily designed to move traffic, not accommodate energy facilities. Any charging installation would therefore need to consider structural capacity, traffic safety, pedestrian access, emergency response and the impact on surrounding public space. The wider value of the EV charging network will depend on how evenly it is distributed. Concentrating facilities around major cities could leave smaller towns and intercity routes with weaker coverage, limiting the usefulness of electric vehicles for longer journeys.
For Maharashtra, the next stage is likely to involve identifying suitable sites, securing approvals and establishing operating arrangements. If planned around public transport demand and equitable geographic coverage, the charging network could become part of a broader shift towards cleaner, more resilient and better-connected mobility rather than simply adding isolated charging points.
