3 minutes of readingPuneFebruary 8, 2026 06:10 pm IST
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is mandating electric vehicle charging stations at all fuel outlets that would be developed on its land, even as its own ambitious plan to upgrade an electric bus fleet remains largely unfulfilled.
Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik announced the directive at a meeting held on January 27 at Mantralaya, which was attended by MSRTC Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Dr Madhav Kusekar and representatives of fuel companies.
A new directive, dated January 27, 2026, now requires companies installing fuel stations at MSRTC premises under the public-private partnership (PPP) model to install charging points for electric vehicles along with conventional petrol and diesel facilities.
“As India moves towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, it is essential to carry out a green revolution in the transport sector as well,” Sarnaik said. “The future of travel will be powered by electric power and MSRTC is committed to building the necessary infrastructure starting today.”
The initiative aims to create an additional revenue stream for MSRTC while providing accessible charging points for the state’s growing electric vehicle user base. Although there is only one operational fuel station under this scheme in Dhule, MSRTC plans to develop such facilities in 100 plots owned by MSRTC across the state.
“These charging stations will be available to all electric vehicle commuters,” an MSRTC official said, adding that the corporation was also planning 174 charging stations exclusively for its electric buses at various locations including Pune.
According to data from Vahan portal, Maharashtra has over 5.78 lakh registered electric vehicles, supported by around 4,166 public charging stations.
Fleet conversion gap
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The contrast between MSRTC’s infrastructure ambitions and its fleet transition is stark. In November 2023, the corporation had set the goal of acquiring 5,150 electric buses by 2025. Once that deadline has been passed, it operates only 600, just 12 percent of its goal.
Meanwhile, Sarnaik said a gradual conversion plan is underway and electric buses will be given priority in future procurement.
“It is a welcome move that MSRTC is promoting the electric vehicle sector,” said Rahul Jadhav, a frequent traveler from Wakad. “However, they should review their procurement targets for electric buses while announcing new ones.”
The infrastructure push aligns with recent political support for the electric vehicle sector, including the Union budget Waiver of 2026-27 basic customs duties on exports of sodium antimonate, which could reduce battery raw material costs.