PMPML To Trial Double Decker Electric Buses On 10 Routes

20 Jul 2026 CW Team

The decision follows an earlier pilot in the Hinjewadi area in September 2025, where subsequent opening of Metro Line 3 on that corridor altered passenger flows and heightened concerns that demand for PMPML services could fall. Officials also identified operational challenges during the previous trial, including route suitability and traffic interaction, which encouraged the search for alternative corridors. The new exercise aims to generate practical data on performance in mixed urban traffic.

Representatives of Switch Mobility, the company that supplied double-decker buses to Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport undertaking, met PMPML officials to finalise trial arrangements and agreed to provide one double-decker electric bus on July 20. Company personnel will be present throughout testing alongside PMPML staff to monitor technical performance and collect operational metrics. Data gathered will be analysed to judge energy consumption, turnaround times and passenger boarding patterns. The findings will inform scheduling, maintenance planning and capacity decisions for future procurement.

PMPML leadership has stated that trials will be confined to non-Metro and non-BRT corridors so that operational feasibility and passenger response can be properly assessed. The transport utility will evaluate the buses’ suitability for Pune’s road widths, stop placements and traffic conditions before deciding on wider deployment. The exercise is intended to inform longer term planning for the city’s surface transport fleet. Stakeholders will review results before any fleet expansion decisions are made.

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) will conduct trial runs of double-decker electric buses on 10 routes in the city that are not served by either the Bus Rapid Transit system or the Metro. The fresh trials are scheduled to begin on July 21 and the shortlist includes routes such as Hadapsar-Wagholi and Hadapsar-Swargate. The selection prioritises corridors lacking rapid transit to measure potential demand and operational fit. The decision follows an earlier pilot in the Hinjewadi area in September 2025, where subsequent opening of Metro Line 3 on that corridor altered passenger flows and heightened concerns that demand for PMPML services could fall. Officials also identified operational challenges during the previous trial, including route suitability and traffic interaction, which encouraged the search for alternative corridors. The new exercise aims to generate practical data on performance in mixed urban traffic. Representatives of Switch Mobility, the company that supplied double-decker buses to Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport undertaking, met PMPML officials to finalise trial arrangements and agreed to provide one double-decker electric bus on July 20. Company personnel will be present throughout testing alongside PMPML staff to monitor technical performance and collect operational metrics. Data gathered will be analysed to judge energy consumption, turnaround times and passenger boarding patterns. The findings will inform scheduling, maintenance planning and capacity decisions for future procurement. PMPML leadership has stated that trials will be confined to non-Metro and non-BRT corridors so that operational feasibility and passenger response can be properly assessed. The transport utility will evaluate the buses’ suitability for Pune’s road widths, stop placements and traffic conditions before deciding on wider deployment. The exercise is intended to inform longer term planning for the city’s surface transport fleet. Stakeholders will review results before any fleet expansion decisions are made.

Infrastructure Transport

20 Jul 2026

Uttar Pradesh Accelerates National Highway Projects

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari to review National Highway and road infrastructure projects. Officials from the National Highways Authority of India presented progress updates and proposals. Ministers directed acceleration of land acquisition, forest clearances, utility shifting and other formalities to expedite delivery. Officials said that since 2014 about 10,204 kilometres of National Highway projects have been awarded and nearly 9,329 kilometres completed, with 606 kilometres approved and 1,010 kilometres completed b..

Infrastructure Transport

20 Jul 2026

NHAI Completes Repairs at 33 of 40 Spots Along Gurugram NH-48

The National Highways Authority of India has rectified 33 of 40 deficient locations along an 11km stretch of the Delhi–Gurugram NH-48 corridor, following a joint inspection by the authority, the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram and the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority. The audit identified damaged footpaths, crash barriers, inadequate lane markings and poor sanitation at multiple points between Rajiv Chowk and Signature Towers. Repairs and maintenance works have been carried out over May and June as part of the exercise. The report noted broken crash barriers and roadside litteri..

Infrastructure Urban

20 Jul 2026

Mankhurd Maharashtra Nagar Flyover To Open By August 2027

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has said the Mankhurd-Maharashtra Nagar flyover will be operational by August 2027, as part of measures to ease congestion in the eastern suburbs. The structure will provide a direct link from the T Junction on the Sion-Panvel highway to the existing Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road. The T Junction is one of the major traffic choke points in the eastern suburbs and records heavy flows of vehicles travelling to and from Navi Mumbai and Pune. Motorists currently spend more than 15 minutes at the signal during peak periods, according to civic data, prompting the..