Pune: PMPML Seeks 24 Reserved Plots for Depots; 685 Bus Shelters in the Works

Pune, 25th July 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is set to consider acquiring 24 privately owned land parcels reserved for the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) to address the transport utility’s long-pending shortage of bus depots.

Addressing a special general body meeting of the PMC on Friday, PMPML chairperson and managing director Mahesh Awhad said a proposal seeking possession of the reserved plots has been submitted to the civic body. Of the 32 plots earmarked for PMPML infrastructure, 24 have been prioritised in the first phase. Since the land is privately owned, the acquisition will be carried out through Transferable Development Rights (TDR) or compensation.

Awhad also said PMPML plans to install bus shelters at 685 locations across Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad after a survey identified nearly 1,200 bus stops, many of them without basic commuter facilities. The proposed shelters will be equipped with lighting and solar-powered panic buttons to improve passenger safety.

The special meeting saw around 40 corporators flag recurring complaints related to PMPML services, including the absence of bus shelters, frequent vehicle breakdowns and rash driving by bus drivers.

Responding to the concerns, Awhad said PMPML has directed all depots to carry out mandatory pre-deployment inspections to reduce breakdowns. He admitted that buses operated by private contractors account for a higher share of mechanical failures and said penalties are being imposed on contractors whose vehicles fail to meet operational standards.