Centre Approves 1,000 e-Buses for Pune, Paving Way for Cleaner, Smarter Commutes

Pune, 12th November 2025: In a major boost to Pune’s public transport network, the Central Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the purchase of 1,000 electric buses for the city under the PM-eDrive scheme. The proposal received its final approval from Union Minister for Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy, paving the way for a significant expansion of the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) fleet.

Announcing the development, Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol said that the addition of these electric buses would strengthen the city’s public transport infrastructure, reduce traffic congestion, and help curb pollution. “This initiative reflects the Modi Government’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive urban mobility,” Mohol stated.

PMPML currently operates around 2,000 buses, of which approximately 750 are owned by the corporation and the rest are operated through contractors. Given the rapid urban expansion and rising population in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, transport experts have long stressed that the fleet must grow to at least 3,000 buses to meet the demand.

Recognizing this gap, Mohol had been consistently pursuing the proposal with both the State and Central Governments. He personally met Heavy Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on multiple occasions to expedite the process. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also played a key role in facilitating necessary clearances.

Mohol explained that he had met Chief Minister Fadnavis earlier to ensure that the required documentation for funding was sent by the State Government to the Reserve Bank of India. Following this, the proposal for 1,000 e-buses was formally forwarded by PMPML to the Union Ministry of Heavy Industries.

“About fifteen days ago, I held a detailed meeting with Minister Kumaraswamy in New Delhi, urging him to prioritize the proposal. He assured swift action, and as per that commitment, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal in its recent meeting,” Mohol said. “This has cleared the way for PMPML to induct 1,000 new e-buses soon.”

Mohol emphasized that the government’s focus is on building a strong, multimodal public transport system for Pune. “Today, the metro runs over 32 km across the city, and the Shivajinagar–Hinjawadi line will begin operations soon. Several metro extension routes have also been approved. Alongside these developments, strengthening PMPML remains one of my top priorities,” he added.

He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for their support, stating, “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the Central Government continues to focus on holistic, well-planned, and sustainable development of urban centers. The sanction of 1,000 e-buses for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad demonstrates that commitment. On behalf of Pune residents, I extend heartfelt thanks to the Prime Minister and all those who made this possible.”

With this approval, Pune is set to take a major leap towards cleaner, more efficient, and future-ready public transport — marking a milestone in the city’s transition toward sustainable urban mobility.