Nagpur: The ambitious goal of achieving a 100% eco-friendly public transport system in Nagpur has hit a major roadblock. Due to a severe shortage of charging stations, 79 of Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) electric buses have been rendered inoperative, constituting about 34% of its electric fleet. This issue has significantly impacted the city’s public transportation system, which is currently under strain, a report said.
Out of the 230 electric buses owned by the NMC, only 151 are operational, including 105 air-conditioned (AC) buses. The PMI Electro Mobility Solutions Private Limited, a Haryana-based company, which has completed the delivery of all 144 AC e-buses, is plying only 65 buses, and 79 are lying idle due to the lack of adequate charging facilities at the Wathoda Depot, the report added.
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11 April 2025
The NMC’s Transport Department manages a total fleet of 622 buses, with approximately 421 buses currently in service. The operational buses include 270 diesel and CNG-fuelled vehicles, while the rest are electric. The city’s Aapli Bus service covers 125 routes, catering to around 115,000 passengers daily.
Presently, Nagpur’s charging infrastructure comprises facilities at four locations: Lakadganj, Mor Bhavan, Wadi, and Hingna, supporting around 151 e-buses. Each bus can travel approximately 130 kilometres on a one-hour charge. Despite these capabilities, the existing infrastructure is insufficient to meet the needs of the entire electric fleet.
The NMC has decommissioned 132 of its 237 standard red buses due to them being unfit for operation. This decommissioned fleet includes 96 diesel and 26 CNG buses. Consequently, many routes, such as Hingna, Butibori, Wadi, Kamptee, and Pardi, are experiencing severe overcrowding.
The non-utilization of 79 new AC buses has led to public dissatisfaction. Commuters, particularly those travelling between Nari and Butibori industrial area, have urged the NMC to expedite the development of the necessary charging infrastructure. A commuter emphasized the comfort of travelling in AC e-buses and called for urgent action.
Acknowledging the inconvenience caused, the NMC has initiated efforts to expand the charging infrastructure. PMI is working on developing a new depot in Wathoda with 88 charging guns. Additionally, opportunity charging points are being set up at Mor Bhavan (six points) and Khapri (three points). These charging stations are expected to reduce the ‘dead kilometres’ incurred when buses need to return to depots for charging.
Nagpur’s push towards an eco-friendly public transport system is facing significant operational hurdles due to inadequate charging infrastructure. While efforts are underway to address these challenges, the current situation has led to commuter dissatisfaction and operational inefficiencies. Expedited development of charging facilities is crucial to fully leverage the city’s electric bus fleet and enhance public transport services.
