PMPML fines Olectra ₹55 crore for faulty e-bus batteries.
25 buses to get battery replacements at the company’s cost.
PMPML warns of stricter actions if failures continue.
Pune, 17 September 2025: The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) has fined Olectra Greentech Limited ₹55 crore after repeated breakdowns of its electric buses caused by substandard batteries. The failures, reported in 45 buses over the last 45 days, have disrupted services and added pressure on the city’s public transport network.
A senior PMPML official said the poor battery performance had not only caused service delays but also increased operational costs. “This clearly violates our quality standards. The manufacturer must take responsibility,” he added.
To resolve the immediate issue, PMPML has ordered a complete battery replacement in 25 affected buses, with costs borne entirely by Olectra Greentech. PMPML chairman and managing director Pankaj Deore said the penalty is meant to hold the company accountable and ensure passengers do not suffer due to poor service. He also warned that stricter measures, including blacklisting, could follow if problems continue.
The e-bus initiative is part of Pune’s sustainable urban mobility programme, aimed at modernising public transport and reducing carbon emissions. Transport experts have cautioned that repeated failures could discourage commuters from using electric buses, potentially increasing congestion and pollution in the city.
With this record fine, PMPML has sent a strong message to all contractors that compromising on quality will not be tolerated, reassuring thousands of daily commuters that service standards remain a priority.
