In a significant announcement for Nagpur's commuters, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari declared that the city's Metro service will soon operate its own fleet of buses to solve the last-mile connectivity problem. The move, which requires a legal amendment, is expected to become a reality within the next four months.
Legal Hurdle Cleared for Metro-Run Buses
Addressing an election rally in Wathoda on Friday, Gadkari stated that he has decided to amend the Transport Act to enable this change. The existing regulations previously barred a third party like MahaMetro from running bus services within the municipal limits. "I have decided to make an amendment to the Transport Act. Now, Metro will operate its own buses, thus ensuring last-mile connectivity to everyone. Within four months you will see that buses are running on the road," Gadkari assured the public. He confirmed that the amendment will be tabled in the upcoming Parliament session starting at the end of this month.
Expanding Capacity: From 3 to 6 Coaches
Recognizing the growing popularity of the Nagpur Metro, Gadkari also unveiled plans to significantly increase its passenger capacity. The current three-coach trains will be upgraded to six-coach formations to accommodate the rising number of commuters. "We have noticed that crowd is increasing in Metro trains, this needs to be addressed. Currently, we have three coaches, but soon we are planning to increase this to six," the Nagpur MP explained.
Addressing Local Issues: Stray Dogs and Development
During his rally, Gadkari also touched upon the persistent issue of stray dogs in the Wathoda area, remarking in jest that their presence made it seem like they had come to support the gathering. He acknowledged the area has the maximum number of complaints regarding strays and promised that all four BJP candidates would prioritize resolving this menace.
As part of his campaign trail for Mahayuti candidates in Nagpur, Gadkari held three rallies and interacted with senior citizens from various wards. In a separate event on Friday, he credited the BJP and its workers for transforming the city's infrastructure, listing achievements like the ring road, water tanks, and 24-hour water supply. He expressed special satisfaction at seeing plans move from paper to ground reality, highlighting Nagpur's cement roads, drainage work, parks, and the establishment of institutions like Symbiosis, Narsee Monjee, and IIIT in the city.
