Pune: One of the major concerns before buying or while using an electric vehicle - whether two or four wheeler - is the availability of the battery charging stations in the city. As the number of electric vehicles being used in the city is increasing, the existing charging stations will definitely fall short of demand. This might add to the inconvenience of the electric vehicles user. But now, you need not worry about the charging station numbers.
Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) has decided to install battery charging stations inside their depots across the city and allow private electric vehicle owners to use this facility. This initiative will help the PMPML to generate extra revenue too.
The PMPML Board of Directors has given approval for this initiative. Soon, PMPML will be inviting proposals from interested companies who will invest in, build and run these charging stations at the PMPML depots. PMPML will be charging a rental amount for letting the company use the depot space.
Rajendra Jagtap, Managing Director of PMPML said, "Citizens using electric two-wheelers and four-wheelers will get easier access to charging stations and benefit from this initiative. The process will be completed soon."
The PMPML bus stops in the city will also be renamed. Out of the total 3000 bus stops in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad cities around 1000 bus stops will be renamed. Auction process will be conducted and a certain fee will be charged for the next five years from the bidder.
PMPML has also thought of other revenue generation options like installing hoardings and digital boards inside depots and major bus stops and to lease them. PMPML's vacant properties will be renovated and will be rented out. The PMPML buses will also facilitate courier and parcel services within the city. This will help increase revenue for the city bus service company which has suffered a loss of about Rs 150 crore during the six-month long lockdown.
