203 Buses Out of 622 Are Running, 230 Bus Stops Relocated in Four Year
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Nagpur, India- Approximately 203 buses of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) are off the roads, causing frustration among residents. With a population of around 30 lakh, the city heavily relies on a bus service to meet public transport needs. The NMC's city bus fleet is supposed to consist of 662 buses, but 30 have been scrapped, seven destroyed by fire, and one involved in an accident. Currently, only 624 buses are operational, serving various routes in the city.
According to the Transport Department, 44 electric buses are running as their chargers are available, but 22 electric buses remain in depots due to a lack of chargers. The NMC funds four operators, selected through a bidding process, to run the city's bus services. However, the current fleet is inadequate, causing delays and inconvenience, particularly on longer routes such as Sitabuldi to Butibori, Dighori to Sitabuldi, and others.
Within the city, the limited number of buses forces many residents to use personal vehicles. Unlike metropolitan areas, Nagpur's bus service is not yet a staple of public transportation, partly because it does not cover important locations like railway stations and other key junctions. Many areas still lack bus connectivity, and inconsistent schedules leave citizens uncertain about bus availability. While some have switched to the metro, many still depend on city buses for daily travel.
From April 1, 2021, to May 20, 2024, the NMC relocated about 230 bus stops, citing them as initially misplaced or unnecessary. This relocation raises questions about whether proper surveys were conducted before their initial placement. The funds spent on constructing and then relocating these bus stops highlight inefficiencies within the civic body. Moreover, the NMC has admitted that the infrastructure for electric bus charging stations is still not ready, with current charging being done at the operators' depots.
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