PMPML CMD Orders Plan to Cut E-Bus Breakdowns in One Month

In a strong push to tackle the rising number of electric bus breakdowns, the newly appointed Chairman and Managing Director of Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML), Pankaj Deore, has instructed officials to prepare an actionable plan to significantly reduce e-bus failures within one month.

The reason for urgency is due the alarming operational data. As per the records, there were 1,127 bus breakdowns in June, while 961 came in just the first 22 days of July. The vehicles which are primarily affected are 160 electric buses which were inducted in 2019 as a part of PMPML’s first e-bus fleet phase.

Battery Issues at the Core of the Crisis

“Presently, the e-bus fleet consists of 490 buses operated by private contractors. In 2019, these buses were inducted, and 160 of them joined the fleet in the first phase. These buses are facing multiple breakdowns mainly due to their degrading batteries. We are considering ways to salvage them,” said Nitin Narvekar, Joint Managing Director of PMPML.

One of the key technical measures being explored is battery balancing, a process that ensures all battery cells in an e-bus vehicle charge and discharge uniformly. Experts say this not only improves performance but also prolongs the battery’s lifespan.

“We will be talking to all private contractors to find a way to reduce the breakdowns. Most buses belonging to private contractors are facing breakdowns. However, e-buses are a concern, and we are looking at other ways to contain the situation,” Narvekar added.

Public Discontent Mounts

Commuters, meanwhile, have voiced their frustration. “Recently, the e-bus I was travelling in suddenly stopped and then did not start. I am paying fares and want proper service. PMPML got e-buses before many other public transport utilities in the country, and it is their job to maintain them properly. The administration is still not serious about controlling the breakdowns,” said Keshav Rajguru, a resident of Camp.

Balancing Innovation with Reliability

The introduction of e-buses aimed to support sustainable transportation and provide a cleaner alternative to diesel commercial fleets. Nonetheless, the breakdown data highlights difficulties in maintaining dependable service within a rapidly evolving electric mobility environment. Even as electric bus prices remain a consideration for public bodies and private contractors alike, maintaining fleet uptime is becoming critical. This scenario illustrates the importance of life cycle planning for electric commercial buses, which encompasses continuous battery maintenance and performance monitoring.

Generating Revenue via Depot Development

In addition to tackling technical issues, Deore has reached out to the Maharashtra Chief Secretary concerning improvements in depot infrastructure. A proposal submitted years ago involved leasing PMPML depot land to private players under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BoT) model for 30 years.

A senior PMPML official explained, “The letter mentioned that the lease needed to be increased to 60 years, and only then would it attract private players. PMPML would benefit through non-fare revenue, helping the utility become more financially sustainable.”

Such developments may support broader investments in the PMPML ecosystem, possibly making room for new-generation commercial buses at competitive commercial buses prices, a key factor in expanding public transport in growing cities like Pune.

Conclusion

Pankaj Deore has set a 30-day window to fix the problems. The success of this initiative will depend not only on engineering fixes ,but also coordination with contractors and strategic investments. 

Pune is known as one of the early adopters of electric buses, and in order to restore the faith of the public, it is important for the issues to be resolved within the given time frame. Whether this initiative becomes successful or highlights a deeper systematic issue will become clear in  the coming weeks.

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