Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has mandated that all new petrol and diesel stations built on its land must include electric vehicle (EV) charging points, as part of efforts to expand sustainable transport infrastructure across the state. The directive, issued this week, aims to blend traditional fuel services with modern EV support at key locations.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who also heads MSRTC, announced the requirement during a meeting with senior officials and representatives from private fuel companies. He said the move is designed to foster broader adoption of electric mobility and support the state’s transition to cleaner energy sources.
Under the new policy, companies that develop fuel stations on MSRTC-owned plots must install EV charging units alongside conventional diesel and CNG pumps. Officials said this applies to outlets being built through public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements on MSRTC properties across Maharashtra.
Sarnaik noted that while nearly 90 % of the corporation’s current bus fleet still runs on diesel, a phased transition to electric buses is underway and will be prioritised in future purchases. The inclusion of EV chargers at fuel hubs, he said, will help create a backbone for electric transport across the state.
MSRTC plans to utilise this strategy not only to improve infrastructure but also to generate additional revenue, according to transport officials. Having multiple energy options conventional fuels and EV charging at single stops is expected to benefit commuters and encourage EV uptake over time.
However, the corporation has faced criticism for the slow pace of its electrification drive, with only a small portion of its planned electric buses currently in service. Some commuters have expressed frustration over delays even as the state targets a significant build-out of charging infrastructure in the coming years.
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