PMC approves Rs 23.11 crore for PMPML to cover free and concessional bus passes

Pune, November 5, 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has approved Rs 23.11 crore for Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML). The amount will reimburse free and concessional bus passes issued in the financial year 2025-26 to students, senior citizens, freedom fighters, journalists and municipal employees.

The PMC standing committee passed the proposal after scrutinising PMPML's claims. Municipal departments had recommended reimbursement of Rs 34.87 crore, but the payment had to be held at Rs 23.11 crore because the budget did not provide for the full amount.

PMPML had initially sought Rs 36.18 crore for passes issued under various schemes during 2025-26. The concerned PMC departments examined the claim and recommended payment of Rs 34.87 crore.

The reimbursement covers annual, half-yearly and quarterly student passes. Passes issued at a 50 per cent concession are also counted. Free passes for senior citizens, freedom fighters, meritorious persons and PMC employees fall under the same account.

The Information and Public Relations department had recommended Rs 71,300 as reimbursement for free bus passes issued to reporters working with daily and weekly newspapers.

PMPML had also claimed Rs 1.27 crore for 22-day passenger punching passes, which the departments did not recommend. This was another reason for the gap between the amount sought and the amount recommended.

Meanwhile, PMPML had asked PMC for an advance of Rs 33 crore to pay its employees an ex gratia amount and bonus before Diwali. Against this background, Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram placed the reimbursement proposal before the standing committee.

PMC's 2026-27 budget has a provision of Rs 23.11 crore for reimbursing bus pass concessions. The corporation will need a further Rs 11.77 crore to release the full recommended amount of Rs 34.87 crore.

The payment to PMPML will be made from the existing budget provision after the approval of PMC's general body.