Pune is poised for a transformative year in its transportation landscape in 2026, with three major developments set to significantly enhance connectivity and public transit for its residents. The key projects include the operationalization of the renovated old terminal at Lohegaon airport, the long-awaited start of construction for the new Purandar airport, and a massive expansion of the city's public bus fleet with 1,500 new vehicles.
Renovated Pune Airport Terminal Set for April-May Launch
Following the shift of all operations to the new terminal building in March 2025, the old terminal at Pune International Airport in Lohegaon has been undergoing a comprehensive renovation. Airport Director Santosh Dhoke has provided a significant update, stating that nearly 60% of the work in the arrival area is complete. The full renovation is targeted for completion by March 31, 2026.
After necessary approvals from regulatory bodies, which may take 1 to 1.5 months, the facility is expected to be operational by the end of April or early May 2026. The revamped terminal will bring substantial capacity enhancements to the airport.
The renovated old terminal will introduce 14 additional check-in counters, boosting the airport's total from 34 to 48. It will also feature a new security hold area equipped with three X-ray machines and will add two remote boarding gates that utilize bus boarding. This expansion is strategically planned to manage passenger surges efficiently and prevent overcrowding.
Purandar Airport Construction to Begin in Second Quarter of 2026
In a major breakthrough for the decade-stalled project, the Pune district administration has secured consent from 96% of the farmers for land acquisition for the new Greenfield airport in Purandar. District Collector Jitendra Dudi confirmed that the land survey has been completed peacefully, without any need for police intervention.
Dudi outlined the upcoming timeline, expecting the land acquisition process to be finalized within the first quarter of 2026. Subsequently, the actual construction of the airport is projected to commence in the second quarter of the year. The primary discussion now revolves around the final compensation amount per acre for the farmers.
Highlighting the advantages of the site, the Collector noted that the land's topography presents minimal hurdles. "We don't have to cut any mountain. We don't have to do any deviation of any river stream. And the strata are very solid," Dudi stated. He expressed confidence that, once started, the airport could be delivered within three to 3.5 years.
PMPML Fleet to Nearly Double with 1,500 New Buses
The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML), which has struggled with a stagnant fleet of around 2,000 buses for five years, is set for a massive upgrade. PMPML Chairman and Managing Director Pankaj Deore announced that the fleet strength will jump to 3,500 buses by April-May 2026.
The expansion will be driven by multiple initiatives:
- The phased delivery of buses under the PM-eBus Sewa scheme is expected to begin in April-May 2026, with an initial batch of 200-300 electric buses.
- A work order for 1,000 new CNG buses has been placed with Leyland and Tata. This order comprises 800 twelve-meter buses and 200 nine-meter buses.
- An additional 500 buses currently awaiting induction will be added to the fleet.
Accounting for the planned scrapping of around 500 old buses, the net addition will be 1,500 buses, dramatically improving public transport availability across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Deore assured that, unlike delays experienced in other cities, no major problems with bus deliveries are anticipated for Pune.
Together, these three pillars—airport infrastructure modernization and the public bus fleet expansion—represent a comprehensive push to address Pune's growing transportation needs and solidify its position as a major metropolitan hub.
