If A city’s priorities are judged by how it treats its public transport users, Nagpur's report card during the monsoon is not just poor - it is waterlogged. For many who depends on buses every day, the journey doesn’t begin when they board one. It begins with a frustrating search for the dry ground. Some bus stops across the city like Beltarodi, Mor Bhavan, Jagnade Square, Munje chowk, Dhiran Kanya School, Jhansi Rani Square, among others, are surrounded by stagnant rainwater, turning waiting areas into puddles of muddy water. The result is predictable - commuters are forced to wade through filthy water, stand on slippery surfaces or wait on the edge of busy roads, putting their safety at risk, as at many stops potholes make them more risky.

 

Passengers are left balancing on narrow footpaths, jumping over puddles or stepping directly onto the road because the flooded areas make it impossible to reach the shelters. Elderly citizens struggle to maintain balance on slippery surfaces, school-children walk through dirty water in their uniforms, while office-goers begin their day with soaked shoes instead of a comfortable commute. “We end up standing on the road because the bus stop is flooded, and even buses can not park properly as autos occupy the bus bay,” shared Sonal Wagh, a daily commuter. “Once, when I was traveling from the area to my office, I stepped into the water, which drenched my shoes. Even if we try to avoid this from happening, other vehicles moving by splatter water on us,” lamented Sujit Agrawal, an office-goer. Repeated calls from ‘The Hitavada’ to officials of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) went unanswered. 

 

 

Illegal parking outside bus stops is adding to commuters’ woes across the city. Auto-rickshaws are frequently seen occupying bus bays, forcing buses to halt away from the designated stop. As a result, passengers have to board and alight in the middle of the road, increasing the risk of accidents, especially during peak hours and the monsoon. Despite clear restrictions, the lack of regular enforcement has allowed the problem to persist, leaving commuters to bear the consequences of poor traffic discipline.