New Delhi: Navi Mumbai is set to get a boost, as far as public transport is concerned. The Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) has decided to add 200 new buses under its Green Fleet initiative this year. These will include 100 CNG buses and 100 electric ones. The NMMT already has 150 CNG and electric buses and with this new procurement, the transport corporation wants to completely do away with the diesel-run buses.
According to a report in the Times of India, the NMMT decided to acquire these 100 buses, following budgetary allocation for the same in this fiscal year. However, for the rest of the 100 vehicles, they sent a proposal to the Central government, as they wanted to acquire the buses under the Pradhan Mantri E-Bus Seva Yojana.
Budget allocation of more than Rs 600 crore for eco-friendly buses
The NMMT had allocated Rs 652 crore for procuring eco-friendly buses and building new bus terminals in this year’s transport budget. They will also use the money to install solar systems for energy efficiency and electric vehicle charging stations to help run the buses.
According to an official of NMMT, the budget for the 2026-27 fiscal was in surplus. He said that the total expenditure came to Rs 651.9 crore, but the allocation made was Rs 652 crore. So they were left with Rs 10 lakh surplus money.
A civic official said that they would continue to provide concessions to students, women and senior citizens, if they use buses in the Navi Mumbai area for their commute. The budget proposed developing bus terminals on a commercial basis and using solar power for lighting there, which would help save up on electricity cost.
10 charging stations proposed in Navi Mumbai
Meanwhile in order to help run these buses charging spots would be needed. The budget proposed 10 charging spots, which will be provided at 10 locations of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation vehicle base. These are to be built on a Public Private Partnership basis.
Apart from adding new buses to its fleet, the NMMT also plans to start new buses on new routes, given the opening of the new airport. This has led to an increase in passenger volume, they said.