Nagpur's Metro system experienced a remarkable spike in passenger numbers on Wednesday, directly attributed to the high-profile India-New Zealand T20 international cricket match held at the VCA Stadium in Jamtha. According to official data released by MahaMetro, the total passenger journeys across the network inched close to an impressive 1.20 lakh by 12.30am on Thursday.
Metro Ridership Skyrockets During Cricket Event
While this figure represents the entire day's ridership, MahaMetro officials explicitly acknowledged that the late-evening and post-match surge was clearly linked to the night fixture. Estimates suggest that approximately 2,000 to 3,000 spectators specifically utilized the Metro service to travel to and from the Jamtha stadium, primarily via the Khapri and New Airport stations.
Record-Breaking Increase at New Airport Station
The most striking surge was recorded at the New Airport Metro Station, situated on Wardha Road and serving as a key access point for commuters heading towards Jamtha. MahaMetro data reveals that the station logged 1,886 passenger entries until 12.30am, compared to a mere 376 entries on the previous day. This represents a massive 402% increase in footfall, highlighting the Metro's crucial role in managing event-day traffic.
To provide context, on a regular weekday, Nagpur Metro's total ridership typically ranges between 1 lakh and 1.15 lakh passengers. For comparison, total ridership stood at around 81,000 on January 14, which was also a Wednesday, while on the same day the previous week, it was approximately 1.07 lakh.
Increased Footfall at Khapri Station
The match day also saw increased activity at Khapri Metro Station, the terminal station on the Aqua Line and another Metro access point near the stadium. Although it is not the most convenient station to reach Jamtha, it recorded 3,747 passenger entries until 12.30am, up from 3,365 a day earlier, marking an 11% rise.
Extended Services and Operational Management
To efficiently manage the post-match rush, MahaMetro operated services until around 12.31am from all four terminal stations, facilitating late-night dispersal across the city. This strategic extension helped accommodate the influx of cricket fans returning home after the thrilling encounter.
Last-Mile Connectivity Challenges Emerge
Despite the overall smooth operations, last-mile connectivity issues at Khapri emerged as a significant concern. Unlike New Airport station, where 30 Nagpur Municipal Corporation buses were deployed in coordination with MahaMetro, organized feeder services at Khapri remained limited.
Several commuters reported waiting nearly 30 minutes to find transport from Khapri late at night, with autorickshaws in short supply and fares reportedly higher than usual. While officials maintained that overall operations remained smooth, commuters have expressed a clear need for better feeder services at terminal stations, especially during late-night events of this magnitude.
The event underscores the Metro's growing importance in Nagpur's urban transport ecosystem, particularly for large-scale public gatherings, while also highlighting areas for improvement in integrated transit solutions.
