After a brief closure last year, the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) has decided to reinstate the e-bus service at Sinhagad Fort, catering to the increasing number of visitors during the monsoon season. To ensure a smooth and secure experience for passengers, PMPML recently held a joint meeting with forest department officials, outlining plans to repair the Ghat section, conduct e-bus trials, and carry out a comprehensive survey with government agencies to enhance safety along the Ghat road.
Om Prakash Bakoria, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of PMPML, shared insights into the preparations, stating, “Our team of senior officials, along with forest department representatives, will inspect the Sinhagad Fort Ghat section to assess road conditions and overall safety measures for bus operations. We will particularly focus on areas with potential accident risks, carefully examining the curvature of the road. Additionally, we plan to introduce seven-meter-long midi buses instead of the previous nine-meter buses. Once the survey is completed and the report is submitted, we will work towards resuming the service, considering the need for charging stations, parking facilities, and other logistical arrangements.”
Pradip Sankpal, Range Forest Officer, Pune Forest Range, emphasized the joint efforts to ensure safe e-bus service, stating, “Today’s meeting marked an important step in planning the inspection of the Ghat section, which will be conducted in collaboration between PMPML and our department. As the rainy season approaches and the rush of visitors increases, our aim is to provide a secure e-bus service through PMPML, necessitating a thorough assessment of the Ghat road.”
The e-bus service was initially inaugurated on May 1, 2022, by the then Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and commenced operations on May 2, 2022. During its short span between May 2 and 16, 2022, the service witnessed an impressive 47,000 passengers, generating revenue of Rs22 lakhs. However, due to safety concerns, the e-bus service on the Ghat section was temporarily halted from May 17, 2022. Private vehicles were allowed to continue traveling to the top of Sinhagad Fort during this period.
