MSRTC bus depot at Pune’s Swargate to get e-charging station, more CCTV cameras

The announcement was made through a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the Home Department in November, which states, “The issue of granting administrative and financial approval for the estimated amount of Rs 14,99,24,098.00 (14 Crores 99 Lakhs 24 Thousand 98 Only) for setting up an electric charging station for buses running on an electrified system at Swargate Depot, Pune Division, is under consideration by the Government.”

The government has outlined several conditions for the execution of the project, including obtaining approvals for architectural layouts and ensuring compliance with environmental guidelines. MSRTC will also need to submit a detailed budget before the commencement of work.

Pramod Nehul of MSRTC, Pune Division, said that once the charging station comes up at Swargate depot, a major hotspot for robberies, new CCTV cameras would be installed on the premises. He mentioned that the depot already has 32 CCTV cameras and 18 more will be added to enhance security.

With reports of frequent thefts, including bag and chain snatchings, at the bus depot, Swargate police in November wrote to MSRTC requesting additional cameras in various locations within the depot. They demanded the authorities to install cameras with high visibility after discovering that only four or five of the 24 installed cameras were operational.

Nehul said that the Maharashtra government has allocated Rs 120 crore for the overall infrastructure development at MSRTC, including camera installations. However, clear instructions have not been given on how the budget will be split between these initiatives, Nehul added.