PCMC approves ₹85 Lakh for DPR of Maharashtra’s First e-RTS Pilot Corridor

Pimpri-Chinchwad, India (Urban Transport News): Public transport connectivity in Pimpri-Chinchwad is set for a major upgrade with the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) approving ₹85 lakh for the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Maharashtra’s first Electric Rapid Transit System (e-RTS) pilot project.

The decision follows a presentation made to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the PCMC administration regarding the proposed electric rapid transit system.

17-km e-RTS Corridor to Connect Godown Chowk with Wakad

The proposed pilot corridor will span approximately 17 km, connecting Godown Chowk with Wakad and linking several rapidly developing residential, industrial and commercial areas of Pimpri-Chinchwad.

The proposed route will include key stops at Godown Chowk, Kudalwadi Chowk, Auto Cluster, Kalewadi Phata, Jagtap Dairy Chowk and Wakad.

The corridor is expected to strengthen connectivity across Moshi, Chikhali, Talawade, Kiwale, Ravet and Wakad, while providing improved access to important transport corridors including the Pune–Nashik Highway, Telco Road, Old Mumbai–Pune Highway, Aundh-Ravet BRT corridor and Mumbai–Bengaluru Bypass.

The pilot project is being planned to provide a faster, greener and more reliable public transport alternative while helping reduce dependence on private vehicles and easing congestion on major roads.

What is Electric Rapid Transit System?

The proposed Electric Rapid Transit System (e-RTS) is a fully electric urban mobility solution designed to offer a travel experience similar to metro rail while operating on existing road infrastructure.

The vehicles proposed under the system can accommodate up to 240 passengers and are designed with low-floor boarding, making them accessible to senior citizens and passengers with reduced mobility.

The e-RTS vehicles are also expected to feature air-conditioning, Wi-Fi and other passenger-oriented amenities, providing a comfortable and modern commuting experience.

With electric propulsion, the system is expected to generate lower emissions and noise compared with conventional diesel-powered public transport. Its relatively lower operating costs and an expected service life of more than 20 years could also support long-term sustainable urban mobility.

e-RTS Could Complement Pimpri-Chinchwad’s Metro Network

The proposed pilot corridor could play an important role in complementing Pimpri-Chinchwad's expanding mass rapid transit network. By connecting industrial areas, residential neighbourhoods and major road corridors, the e-RTS could provide an additional public transport option for areas where conventional metro infrastructure may take longer to develop.

The project could also improve last-mile connectivity to existing and upcoming metro corridors, supporting a more integrated public transport network across the Pune Metropolitan Region.

DPR to Assess Project Feasibility

The ₹85 lakh allocation for the DPR marks the initial step towards assessing the technical, financial, operational and implementation feasibility of the proposed e-RTS corridor.

The DPR is expected to examine the alignment, stations, vehicle technology, infrastructure requirements, passenger demand, operating model and project cost before the pilot moves towards subsequent approvals and implementation.

If successfully developed, the Godown Chowk–Wakad corridor could become a demonstration project for electric rapid transit in Maharashtra, offering Pimpri-Chinchwad a high-capacity, environmentally sustainable and road-based public transport solution.

The initiative also reflects the growing focus of Indian cities on adopting electric and lower-emission mass transit systems that can be deployed more flexibly than conventional rail-based infrastructure.