The Times of India            13.11.2013 

NMC plans terminal, depot to improve Nagpur bus service

NAGPUR: Better late than never, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has prepared a proposal to establish a city bus terminal, depot and night parking area for improving the Starbus service. It has also decided to introduce 200 more buses.

The two projects may see the light with the funds coming from the central government under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme. Under it, the NMC already has got approval for 19 big projects worth around Rs1,600 crore.

Stressing the need for a bus terminal and depot, municipal commissioner Shyam Wardhane told TOI that the NMC will send the proposal to the state government and then to the centre. "The Centre asked the NMC to submit the proposal for infrastructure development and procurement of more buses. The plan is to rope in a private firm for preparing the detailed project report for infrastructure development. Expression of interest was invited and proposal to appoint the firm has been tabled before the standing committee. The agency will also locate the suitable land for developing bus terminal and depot," he said.

On procurement of new buses, Wardhane said a proposal will be tabled before the centre once a nod comes from the standing committee.

After taking over the city bus service from the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation Limited (MSRTC) in 2007, the NMC roped in 230 buses on PPP model. Later, the NMC increased the fleet of buses to 470 by procuring 240 buses under JNNURM scheme. The city bus service has never been a smooth operation and has always been hit by several controversies.

A senior NMC official said the centre had realized lack of infrastructure as the major reason behind no improvement in the city bus service. "SK Lohia (of ministry of urban development) during his visit to the city in August had directed the NMC to prepare the proposal seeking funds for infrastructure development. Wardhane too pursued the proposal with the centre following lack of funds at the civic body to undertake infrastructure development works. Besides, MSRTC are adamant on not handing over Morbhavan, city bus stop, to the NMC," the official said.

Interestingly, the two proposals are in pipeline amid steps being taken to oust existing operator Vansh Nimay Infraprojects Private Limited (VNIL) and engage a new operator. If the plan materializes, the fleet of new buses may go to 400 as Sai Taj Krupa which is in race for new operator had offered to run 200 new buses on its own cost. The city bus service may get facelift with bus terminal and depot along with 400 new and few old buses.