An electric bus service has been launched on the Nagpur–Chandrapur route, extending Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions’ intercity network into Vidarbha and adding a new zero-emission public transport connection for the region.
The service was inaugurated with the flag-off of the first six buses from an order for 50 SWITCH EiV12m intercity electric buses intended for Purple Bus deployments in Vidarbha. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari was present at the launch, according to The Hindu BusinessLine.
The buses are being supplied by SWITCH Mobility, an electric bus and light commercial vehicle manufacturer that is part of the Hinduja Group. Purple Bus, described by the company as an intercity mobility operator, is responsible for operating the service.
The launch expands a partnership that has already produced electric coach deployments on other Maharashtra routes. SWITCH Mobility said this is its third intercity deployment with Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions in 2026, following services on the Mumbai–Pune route in April and the Dombivli–Pune route in October.
The Nagpur–Chandrapur connection is significant within the Vidarbha region because it links two major urban centres through an intercity bus service using electric vehicles. The available announcement, however, does not specify the service frequency, ticket prices, charging locations, journey duration or the date on which the remaining buses from the 50-vehicle order will be deployed.
The deployment also places electric buses on a route outside Maharashtra’s most heavily travelled Mumbai–Pune corridor. The earlier Mumbai–Pune deployment was described by SWITCH Mobility as part of its expansion on one of India’s busiest travel corridors. The Vidarbha launch therefore extends the company’s intercity electric bus operations to a different regional mobility market.
Ganesh Mani, Chief Executive Officer of SWITCH Mobility, said the company was “glad to extend this partnership to Vidarbha” after its deployment on the Mumbai–Pune route. He said the launch would support the everyday movement of people in the region and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustainable, people-first mobility solutions in Maharashtra and beyond.
The launch comes as operators and vehicle manufacturers build electric bus networks through partnerships rather than relying only on city-based public transport systems. In this case, the operating responsibility rests with Purple Bus while SWITCH Mobility supplies the vehicles, creating a model that combines private intercity operations with electric fleet deployment.
The immediate next step is the rollout of the remaining buses covered by the 50 EiV12m order for Vidarbha deployments. Details on additional routes, operating schedules and charging infrastructure were not included in the announcement.
