Even though new ‘Aapli Bus’ service, started by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) on the Inner Ring Road, has brought relief to many daily commuters, the absence of basic passenger facilities along the route is creating daily difficulties for commuters. Running in circular path starting and ending at Pardi in both ways as routes 99 and 100, the service connects key areas such as Kalamna, Jaripatka, Mankapur, Wadi and Hingna MIDC. For the first time, people from East and North Nagpur have a direct link to industrial areas, colleges and Lata Mangeshkar Hospital. 

 

Along many parts of the route, especially between HB Town Square and Hingna Naka, there are no proper bus stops or passenger sheds. Commuters are forced to stand on the roadside without knowing exactly where the bus will stop. There are no signboards or markings to guide them. “I go to Hingna MIDC every day, but there is no fixed stop. You just stand anywhere and hope the bus stops,” said Ranjit Meshram, a worker from Kapil Nagar. “Sometimes the bus goes ahead because the driver cannot see us clearly,” he added.

 

The lack of shelters is even more challenging for people travelling to hospitals. Many passengers have to wait in the sun or rain without seating arrangements. “A lot of patients use this bus to reach the hospital. Standing in the heat without shade is very difficult,” said Sarita, a commuter heading to Lata Mangeshkar Hospital. “The service is useful, but basic comfort is missing.”

 

Officials from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation have said that work to develop passenger infrastructure has started. They expect shelters, signboards and other facilities to be ready within six months. At present, only the stretch from Hingna Naka to Pardi has some basic infrastructure. The remaining route, especially busy areas like Automotive Square, Mankapur and Wadi, still lacks proper arrangements. While authorities spend crores in procuring state of the art buses, the apathy towards development of amenities that cost few lakh at most is baffling. The amenities will not only serve passengers, but also help increase profit margin of the bus service. NMC needs to act swiftly and expedite the development of passenger amenities on the route.