In Pune, Maharashtra, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) spearheads the shift towards cleaner public transportation. With converting 500 old diesel buses to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), MSRTC aims to reduce pollution and promote sustainable mobility in the city.
MSRTC Diesel Buses Conversion Key Highlights
- MSRTC has a fleet of 800 buses in the Pune State Transport (ST) department, with plans to convert 500 old diesel-powered buses to CNG.
- The conversion costs approximately ₹12.5 lakh per bus, with 60 buses already converted and the rest to be converted gradually.
- The conversion process is being carried out in phases, starting with the Shirur depot, where the first batch of buses has been successfully converted.
- The Rajguru Nagar depot is next in line for the conversion process.
- Pune currently has 64 electric buses (e-buses), including 44 e-Shivneri and 20 e-Shivai, with plans to integrate e-Shivai into the MSRTC fleet.
- The ultimate goal is to have the majority of buses in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad cities run on alternative fuels, with e-buses leading the way.
Future Plans
- Efforts are underway to expand the e-bus fleet and integrate more e-buses into the MSRTC fleet.
- The workshop at Dapodi is actively converting buses to CNG, furthering the goal of transitioning towards cleaner, greener transportation options in Pune.
The conversion of 500 diesel buses to CNG and expanding the e-bus fleet in Pune are significant steps towards a cleaner and more sustainable future for public transportation. MSRTC’s efforts to promote alternative fuels and reduce pollution align with broader environmental goals, making Pune a frontrunner in sustainable urban mobility.
Source : mypunepulse
