MSRTC to Boost Electric Bus Network with New Charging Stations
In a bid to streamline its growing fleet of electric buses and enhance sustainability efforts, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has announced plans to establish two new charging stations in Pune. These new stations, slated to be located at Swargate and Dapodi, aim to address the increasing demand for electric vehicle infrastructure as MSRTC continues to expand its fleet of eco-friendly buses under its ‘E-Shivai’ initiative.
Currently, the MSRTC Pune division operates a fleet of 66 electric buses, all of which are charged at the central office premises at Shankar Sheth Road. However, as the fleet grows, the need for additional charging points has become evident. Each of the new charging stations at Swargate ST stand and Dapodi MSRTC workshop will be equipped with 18 charging points, significantly improving the corporation’s ability to manage and maintain the electric buses that ply on various city routes. The approval process for the Swargate station is nearing completion, with the project in its final tendering stage, while the Dapodi station is also expected to be fully operational soon.
Pramod Nehul, MSRTC’s Pune divisional controller, highlighted the importance of these new charging stations in easing the logistics of charging and deploying electric buses. “With 18 charging points at Swargate, we will be able to service buses on the Kolhapur and Satara routes. Similarly, the Dapodi station will cater to buses heading to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar,” Nehul said. The addition of these stations is expected to improve service efficiency, cut down on charging delays, and help ensure that the fleet runs smoothly across Pune and surrounding areas.
MSRTC has ambitious plans to grow its fleet of electric buses, with a total of 5,000 e-buses scheduled to be inducted in phases. The Pune division alone is set to receive 200 e-buses, with some of these already operating on key routes including Pune-Nagar, Pune-Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Pune-Ahmednagar, and others. The first ‘E-Shivai’ bus was launched on the Pune-Nagar route in August 2023, marking the beginning of MSRTC’s ambitious green transformation. As the fleet grows, these new charging stations will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the buses are charged on time and ready for their scheduled services.
Sustainability is at the heart of this transition. The MSRTC’s efforts to expand its electric bus fleet align with the state’s broader commitment to reduce carbon emissions and promote greener public transport solutions. With electric buses contributing significantly less to air pollution compared to traditional diesel-powered buses, the transition to e-buses is a critical step towards improving the city’s air quality. Moreover, the establishment of these charging stations is an important infrastructural upgrade that will support MSRTC’s long-term sustainability goals, ensuring that electric mobility remains a viable and effective solution for urban transport in Pune.
The introduction of additional charging stations also highlights the evolving landscape of urban mobility in India. As cities like Pune focus on improving their electric vehicle infrastructure, the need for robust charging networks becomes even more critical. These initiatives contribute not only to the immediate improvement of transport services but also to the larger goal of fostering a sustainable, low-carbon urban environment.
