Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishor Ram has directed the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) to improve its bus depots before a major expansion of the public transport fleet, including the planned induction of 1,000 CNG buses by the end of March, according to a report by Lokmat – Pune.
The order was issued during a meeting held at the Pune Municipal Corporation to review improvements required at PMPML depot sites. PMPML Chairman and Managing Director Mahesh Awhad and municipal officials attended the meeting.
The directions include ensuring adequate electricity supply, asphalt surfacing within depot premises and construction of boundary walls. The measures are intended to address the physical limitations of depots before additional buses enter the system. The report also states that 1,500 buses are expected to be added to the PMPML fleet over the following year until March.
PMPML’s existing depots are reportedly in poor condition, creating operational difficulties for bus maintenance. The lack of sufficient space for repairs has made it harder to service buses, while buses are required to remain parked on roads at night. This has raised safety concerns and added pressure to an already constrained public transport operation.
The planned fleet expansion is linked to the Centre’s e-Drive scheme, through which PMPML is expected to receive 1,000 CNG buses. The buses are to be acquired using a combined funding allocation of Rs 750 crore: Rs 500 crore from the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority, Rs 150 crore from the Pune Municipal Corporation and Rs 100 crore from the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation.
PMPML currently has approximately 1,900 buses and carries between 11 lakh and 12 lakh passengers every day, the report said. The scale of that ridership makes depot capacity a direct operational issue rather than only an internal maintenance concern. When buses are unavailable because of breakdowns or inadequate repair facilities, passengers face reduced services and overcrowded vehicles.
The expansion plan is intended to strengthen public transport in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, where PMPML remains a key component of daily urban mobility. However, the commissioner’s instructions indicate that adding vehicles will need to be accompanied by supporting infrastructure for parking, maintenance, electricity supply and site security.
The immediate administrative focus is therefore on preparing depot premises before the new buses are inducted. The municipal corporation and PMPML are expected to coordinate on the identified works as the fleet expansion and funding-backed procurement move forward.
