Centre approves purchase of 1,000 electric buses for Pune

The Centre has approved the purchase of 1000 electric buses for Pune under the PM EDRIVE scheme giving a major push to the citys public transport network Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol said reported news agency PTIThe induction of the new ebuses is expected to bolster Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltds PMPML fleet ease congestion and help curb vehicular pollution the BJP MP from Pune said in a statement on Tuesday reported PTIThe PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement PM EDRIVE scheme emphasises providing affordable and environmentally friendly public transportation options for the massesMohol said Union Minister for Heavy Industries H D Kumaraswamy has granted the final approval to the proposal submitted by PMPML which operates bus services in the city Pimpri Chinchwad and adjoining areas under the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority reported PTIPMPML currently runs around 2000 buses of which nearly 750 are owned by the undertaking and the rest are operated through contractors With the city expanding rapidly the undertaking requires a fleet of at least 3000 buses to meet commuter demand according to officialsMohol said he had been following up with both the state and central governments for the addition of new buses Meetings with Kumaraswamy and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis played a key role in securing the approval he said reported PTITo ensure financial preparedness I had requested Chief Minister Fadnavis to send the necessary communication to the Reserve Bank of India PMPML later forwarded the proposal to the Union Ministry of Heavy Industries I met Minister Kumaraswamy in New Delhi about a fortnight ago after which the approval was expedited he said reported PTIMohol said strengthening the citys public transport infrastructure remains a priority noting that the Pune Metro runs on a 32km network and work on the ShivajinagarHinjawadi line is progressing with other extensions also approvedAlong with Metro expansion enhancing PMPMLs capacity has been my focus With this decision now in place I will work towards ensuring the early induction of the buses the Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation said reported PTIMohol thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi Kumaraswamy and Fadnavis for supporting the proposal adding that the Union government has consistently emphasised integrated and sustainable urban developmentWith inputs from PTI