Nagpur: In a significant push toward sustainable urban transport, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has submitted a proposal to the Maharashtra Government seeking 240 additional electric buses under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme. This move comes as the civic body begins phasing out 237 aging diesel-run buses procured over a decade ago under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
Municipal Commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari, in a letter to the Urban Development Department, has requested sanction for 140 standard 12-metre AC electric buses and 100 midi 9-metre AC electric buses. The proposal is in response to a recent directive from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), which called on urban local bodies to indicate demand for additional electric buses under the Centre’s initiative.
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06 June 2025
Nagpur was earlier allotted 150 electric buses under the scheme and is now aiming to further expand its green fleet. The NMC highlighted its preparedness for the expansion, citing the development of depot charging infrastructure and supporting power systems required for efficient electric bus operations.
Confirming the development, Aapli Bus Administrative Officer Sonam Deshmukh said, “The detailed proposal, including technical specifications, infrastructure readiness, and necessary undertakings, has been submitted to the state-level steering committee for approval. The new buses will not only cut down emissions but also improve air quality and commuter comfort.”
The NMC originally operated 539 buses, including the 237 JNNURM-funded diesel vehicles. These outdated buses are being retired in two stages — the first involving the auction of 123 buses, followed by the remaining 114 in the next phase.
Currently, the city’s public transport fleet includes 230 electric buses, 150 midi buses, and 45 mini buses. Of the electric fleet, 184 are AC and 46 are non-AC buses. These collectively operate across 129 routes, completing an average of 6,209 daily trips and covering nearly one lakh kilometres every day, serving around 1.17 lakh commuters.
The NMC also plans to induct another 400 AC electric buses this year — 250 from the Maharashtra Government and 150 under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme. The first batch of 40 buses from the Central quota is expected to arrive by July. Charging depots for these new vehicles are being developed at Koradi and Khapri, while Wathoda will host infrastructure for the state-allotted fleet.
