Panvel Civic Body Approves ₹287.55 Crore Bus Transport Plan With 100 Buses, 68 Stops

Panvel: The Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) unanimously approved a ₹287.55 crore plan to establish its own public bus transport system, set to include 100 buses, 68 bus stops, five depots, and charging infrastructure. The decision came following a study committee's recommendation that existing services by Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) and BEST were insufficient to serve the growing population.

The project aims to enhance connectivity throughout the municipal area, including currently underserved regions. However, corporators expressed concerns about the implementation timeline and called for interim measures to cater to immediate commuting needs. The transportation costs, including bus procurement, infrastructure development, and charging stations, amount to Rs 287.55 crore, with plans to link payments to the actual number of buses in operation.

While the proposal was supported, some corporators suggested modifications, such as incorporating gas-powered buses and considering shorter buses for navigation in narrow roads. The civic administration also proposed examining the experiences of other municipal corporations and including routes to tourist destinations. Municipal Commissioner Mangesh Chitale stated that the project was financially viable, with the potential for additional funding through central government schemes and a waste-to-energy project.

Despite the approval, opposition leader Arvind Mhatre warned that the service might take up to three years to launch, suggesting the provision of interim 20 leased buses and private operators in the interim period.