Pune Infra Watch: PMPML to upgrade bus shelters to enhance passenger transit experience

🔴 The initiative to install Smart Bus Shelters is aimed at transforming all bus stops in the Pune Metropolitan Area in order to increase the ridership by facilitating passengers with better service.

The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited will soon transform its bus shelters into public utility units. (Representational image)

In a bid to enhance the transit experience of passengers, the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) will soon transform its bus shelters into public utility units from where passengers will be able to buy magazines and milk products and also carry out banking transactions and purchase medicines.

The initiative to install Smart Bus Shelters (SBS) is aimed at transforming all bus stops in the Pune Metropolitan Area in order to increase the ridership by facilitating passengers with better service.

A PMPML officer said, “Waiting is a significant part of every transit trip. Well-designed bus stops enhance the transit experience, decrease perceived wait time and can contribute to increased ridership. We have planned the SBS at 1,500 locations. The bus stops will be environmentally-friendly.”

The project will be undertaken in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. Each SBS will have a standardised design with a solar rooftop with a minimum of six hours of battery backup in addition to the regular single-phase electric supply. Only solar panels that generate a minimum of one kWH and a maximum of 5 kWH power would be installed. The bus stops will be under CCTV surveillance and have LED screens for advertisements, energy-efficient LED lighting, water supply connection, garbage bins and passenger facilitation centres (PFC).

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The SBS will have CCTV cameras that are able to do Behaviour Analysis, Exception Detection and Face Detection. The cameras will have a local storage unit for storing a minimum of 30 days of footage and would be integrated with the existing or proposed new network of PMPML, PMC or Pune Police for analytics and storage.

The cameras will be capable of sending live data over the wireless network to the centralised control centre so that the same could be used for emergency response systems.

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“The PFC use will be limited to development of Automated Teller Machines, and small kiosks or shops for rehabilitation of street vendors. PMPML will collect the appropriate rent from the same. It is also likely to house ticket vending units, magazine stands, dairy shops, ATMs, medicine shops, take away units of eateries and other allied passenger services,” he said.

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The LED screens will have changeable message signs providing real time information to passengers on information of the arrival time for the next bus, transit data like route number of the next bus and available seats. “These are small but important things that improve the experience of bus travel,” said the officer.

The agency that will carry out advertisements on LED screens at bus shelters will not carry any information or graphic or other items relating to alcohol and tobacco products. Also, the advertisements should not have objectionable and indecent portrayal of people, products or any items. There should be no obscene advertisements showing vulgar pictures or the advertisements of drinks banned by the government. Advertisements of political nature will not be allowed without prior written permission of the authority.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More

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