Parivahan Bhavan proposed at Mor Bhavan in NMC Transport Deptt’s budget

A cash-strapped civic body is indulging in lofty projects as Transport Department in its budget for year 2021-22 has proposed to construct Parivahan Bhavan at Sitabuldi. In absence of Chairperson of subject committee, the budget was presented to Prakash Bhoyar, Chairperson, Standing Committee on Friday. The budget has outlay of Rs 246.18 crore with expenditure pegged at Rs 246.15 crore.

NMC owns sprawling land where currently Mor Bhavan stands from where city buses and inter-district bus of MSRTC ply. Previously also there was announcement about plan to construct a multistoreyed building and a transport plaza but later same was forgotten. The civic body plans of building malls are already gathering dust due to lack of response from private players and its own lack of resources.

Ravindra Bhelave, Transport Manager, presented the budget at the Standing Committee Hall at civic headquarters. Sanjay Balpande, Ayesha Uikey, members, Transport Committee, Additional Municipal Commissioners-- Jalaj Sharma, Ram Joshi and Sanjay Nipane, NMC's Secretary Dr Ranjana Lade was also present on the occasion.

Bhelave mentioned that in the year 2021-2022, 67 standard buses, 170 diesel fuel buses will be fitted with CNG as per the policy of Transport Department to provide ideal and efficient bus services to citizens. A total of 478 buses will be operational such as standard buses, 150 midi buses, 45 mini buses and 06 electric charging midi buses as well as 40 electric charging buses received from the central government (with subsidy).

On the site at Mor Bhavan Extension, an estimate of Rs. 1.50 crore is being prepared during the year for setting up a control room to co-ordinate plying of buses in the central part of the city. Also for the convenience of students and commuters traveling from adjoining villages, A separate ‘Parivahan Bhavan’ will be constructed by the Department of Transport.

This will house pass centre and also other amenities for the travellers.

In addition, in the financial year 2021-2022, under the 'City Transport Improvement Expenditure', the Transport Department is hopeful of allocation of Rs. six crores in budget of Standing Committee to enable conversion of 115 diesel buses to CNG. This is as part of initiative for providing environmentally friendly and pollution free travel. Similarly, CNG station will be set-up at Civil Lines and Sitabuldi areas of the city. electric bus charging centre.

To strengthen transport services, Nagpur Smart and Sustainable City Development Corporation Limited (NSSCDCL) will provide 15 electric buses to Transport Department for strengthening city bus services. In the coming year, the digital payment system "Phone Pe" or "Paytm" is intended to be rolled out to make tickets available to passengers and to curb theft of ticket sales.

Under the 'Swachh Bharat Yojana' on an experimental basis, old buses from the fleet will be utilise for conversion to e-toilets that would be stationed at vantage points across the city. A provision of Rs. 30 lakhs has been made for this bus under city transport improvement expenditure.

Service in Covid period

City bus service was completely closed from March 23, 2020 to October 27, 2020 due to the outbreak of Covid-19. However, some buses were utilised for transporting citizens to isolation centers, for Doctors and nurses across various zones. Some of the mini buses are converted as hearse vans to help shift bodies to crematoriums. Also some buses are being utilised for enabling moblie swab collection centres.

20 buses per bus operator, there are three operators, were drafted for supporting various measures rolled out by NMC during the COVID-19 period. These buses were working day and night and citizens benefited from them.