As many as 400 women will soon be trained and recruited as bus drivers for the Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) service. Mayor Sujata Patil further stressed that true empowerment can be achieved through economic independence.
Speaking at an International Women`s Day event on Sunday, Patil said the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) is focusing on providing employment opportunities to women through initiatives aimed at strengthening their economic empowerment, reported PTI.
400 female drivers to be recruited in the first phase
In the first phase, 400 women will be recruited as bus drivers for NMMT, she said, adding that the move is being undertaken under the guidance of Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik.
An official press release from Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation quoted that the mayor highlighted that the social development department will oversee the training of women selected for the programme, as per PTI.
Patil further expressed confidence that the initiative would serve as a model for other cities, opening new avenues for women`s empowerment and expanding opportunities for them in the public transport sector.
Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation tops Maharashtra in the E-Governance Index 2026
Earlier last month, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) secured the top spot in Maharashtra in the City E-Governance Index (CEGI) 2026, emerging as the best-performing civic body among 29 municipal corporations evaluated across the state.
The Pune-based Policy Research Organisation (PRO) released the rankings after assessing civic bodies on service availability, transparency in administration, and digital accessibility. NMMC scored 9.11, taking the number one position, while Pune Municipal Corporation came second.
The evaluation included a detailed review of official websites, mobile applications, and social media platforms between November 1 and December 31, 2025, as well as a comparative analysis of digital performance over the past five years.
Technology-driven governance
Officials credited the achievement to NMMC’s consistent push towards technology-driven governance. Residents can access most services online — from applying for certificates and paying property tax to lodging complaints and tracking applications — without visiting ward offices.
The corporation has implemented an e-office system, reducing paperwork and digitising file movement and approvals. An integrated ERP system has improved coordination across departments.
(With inputs from PTI)
