Nagpur: Efficient and comfortable public transportation runs away in answering pollution twin problems and congestion.
There is a need to increase the adequacy and adoption of public transportation in India, said Niti Aayog in a changing mobility report.
When any city fails in mobility, the result is congestion, losing productivity, worsening pollution and poor quality of life.
This is what Nagpur witnessed with a bad urban transportation system, especially the Aapli bus service run by Nagpur Municipal Corporation.
With a population of 25 lakh (according to the last census), only 1.8% of people in the city of Nagpur who use public transportation (Aapli bus) and an average of 4,000 use metro train services every day.
The NMC transportation department has a fleet of more than 400 buses running through three red and one bus operators but failed to increase passengers.
Before expelling Vansh Nimay Infrapran limited from city bus services, passengers were 1.5 lakh passengers.
“Because of the restrictions of Covid-19, the Department of Transportation is Plying 200 Bus,” said a senior official from the NMC transportation department.
In pre-covid-19 days, NMC is used to operate 380 buses on more than 85 routes.
City vehicle population is almost 20 lakh.
With a poor public transportation system, every year there is a steady increase in the number of private vehicles.
In the last financial year (2020-21), 49,773 new vehicles were added on the city road.
These include 35,654 two wheels and 600 autorickshaws.
Given the addition of new autorickshaw, transportation experts and HOD VNIT V Landge said, it clearly showed that the city was being prepared to turn into a smart city, requiring better public transportation.
Ashok Carandikar Traffic Activists and Activists said rapid growth in private vehicles reflected a public transportation system that was unsatisfactory and focused on two-wheeled centrist infrastructure.
“The reach of the Aapli bus is not satisfactory, people cannot rely on the frequency and comfort is a distant dream for the passengers,” said Carandikar.
He emphasized local bodies should not treat city bus services as a business that produces profits and vice versa treating it as a welfare activity.
According to Landge, city transportation infrastructure cannot be increased at this point.
“On the contrary, government institutions such as NMC must try to improve bus services,” he said.
Planner City Ravi Sonkusre is the view that more vehicles on the road means congestion, accidents, parking problems etc.
“Despite having a wide road, new walks and more concessions, time to go on several roads,” he said.
Giving an example, he said quiet and roads such as Wanjari Nagar, Jail Road has lowered travel time but due to poor intersection planning, permanent obstacles, thus producing increased travel time.
“Even the volume of traffic has increased,” he said.
Metro Nagpur operates in Sitabuldi-Khapri and Sitabuldi-Local Nagar (in Hingna Road) with all open stations to the public.
The passenger daily average is around 4,000.
Before the second wave of Covid-19, passengers on weekdays were more than 20,000 and 30,000 on Sundays.
It has also started six Aapli buses as a feeder service and has sent plans for 39 buses.
“The rest will start in the coming days according to NMC,” said Mahametro spokesman.
At the end of December 2021, two more stretches (Sitabuldi-Prajapati Nagar and Sitabuldi-Automotive Square) are expected to be the operational metro phase and Nagpur – I will be finished.
Mahametro has provided 17 e-rickshaws and 22 e-scooters in many stations.
E-scooters are available in neeri, CRPF Colony, and Mangeshkar LATA hospital too.
More feeder vehicles will be available in the coming days.
In addition, city buses link metro stations with various parts of the city.
Problems & Plans * Only 1.8% of citizens use public transportation (aapli bus) and averaging 4,000 taking metro rails every day * City vehicle populations nearly 20 lakh * 49,773 new vehicles, including 35,654 wheels and 600 autorickshaw, adding the last finance Year * NMC has a standard fleet of 237, 150 midi, 45 mini buses and six electric buses * because of the restrictions of Covid-19, the Department of Transportation is Plying 200 Bus * 40 electric buses to be added to 2022 * Nagpur Metro Phase-II is expected to get approval from Union Cabinet Immediately * When Phase-II is complete, the Metro will connect Nagpur to Butibori MIDC, Hingna Town, Transport Nagar (capsi) and Kanhan (via Kombe)