Nagpur’s electric mobility programme has encountered fresh obstacles, with most of the charging stations at the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation’s (MSRTC) Imambada depot currently unusable. Out of 13 AC charging units installed, 10 remain non-functional due to technical issues. Officials said that while transformers are energised, complications in completing the Work Closing Order (WCR) for the charging stations have delayed commissioning.

 

The matter is expected to be resolved by 15 September. Compounding the problem, the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) has served a disconnection notice to MSRTC over unpaid electricity bills. The issue has been further complicated by a financial dispute between MSRTC and its private partner, Evey Trans (MSR) Pvt Ltd, which is working on the 5,150 E-bus project. According to a directive from the MSRTC Traffic Department, Mumbai, to Evey Trans, the corporation clarified its position on electricity payments. Evey Trans had requested MSRTC to settle the July 2025 bill, but MSRTC stated it would begin paying electricity charges only from September 2025. Accordingly, all bills up to and including August 2025 are to be borne by Evey Trans. The dual challenge of technical snags and billing disputes has put a strain on Nagpur’s electric bus services, which are central to the city’s sustainable transport strategy. Unless both issues are swiftly resolved, commuters may face disruptions and MSRTC’s ambitious transition to electric mobility risks losing momentum.