PANVEL, Oct. 17 -- Panvel is set to get its first municipal bus service, with the Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) approving a Rs.287.55-crore plan to introduce 100 to 130 buses on 16 routes in the first phase. The proposed network will have 68 bus stops, five depots, 76 charging stations and an intelligent transport management system to improve connectivity across the rapidly expanding civic area. The proposal was unanimously approved at a special general body meeting on Thursday, October 15, chaired by mayor Nitin Patil. It comes after a feasibility study found that existing services operated by Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) and BEST were inadequate to meet the growing public transport needs of the area. "The objective is to provide Panvel residents with affordable and safe bus services. We will complete the administrative process and follow up for the necessary government approval," Patil said. The planned routes will connect old Panvel, CIDCO-developed nodes, railway stations and villages, including areas with limited public transport. The estimated cost includes Rs.150 crore for 100 buses, Rs.8.15 crore for 68 bus stops, Rs.30 crore for depots, Rs.8.4 crore for 76 charging stations and Rs.86 crore for an intelligent transport management system....