Mumbai's flyovers to power electric buses with new charging hubs

The Maharashtra government is turning unused spaces beneath Mumbai’s flyovers into charging hubs for electric buses. This move aims to tackle the lack of land for charging stations while supporting the state’s shift to cleaner transport. Officials recently met to discuss expanding infrastructure for the growing fleet of electric buses operated by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). A high-level meeting highlighted the need for better charging facilities as MSRTC expands its electric bus network. The corporation plans to convert its entire fleet to electric by 2035, aligning with the state’s broader goal of transitioning most vehicles to electric mobility by 2047.

The spaces under flyovers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region offer a practical solution. These areas, currently unused, will be repurposed into charging stations through a mix of government funding, self-financing, and public-private partnerships (PPP). MSRTC intends to set up at least 200 such stations across Maharashtra under the PPP model. Improved charging infrastructure is expected to boost the efficiency of electric buses. This, in turn, should strengthen public transport services by reducing downtime for recharging and ensuring smoother operations.

The initiative addresses a key challenge: the shortage of land for charging points, particularly in crowded urban areas. By using existing spaces beneath flyovers, the government aims to create a cost-effective and scalable network. The expanded infrastructure will support MSRTC’s transition to a fully electric fleet over the next decade.