The transport committee of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), chaired by Mangala Khekre, approved two key proposals on Thursday to strengthen the city's public transport infrastructure, focusing on electric bus operations.
Approval for Feeder Bays at Bus Depots
During the meeting held at NMC headquarters, the committee granted financial and administrative approval for constructing 33 KV feeder bays at two major bus depots. At the Wathoda depot in East Nagpur, the feeder bay, including electrical and civil works, will be built at a cost of Rs 80.07 lakh after deducting supervision charges. Similarly, at the Khapri depot on Wardha Road, the feeder bay project has been approved at Rs 74.93 lakh.
The total expenditure of Rs 1.55 crore will be drawn from the Rs 35 crore provision earmarked under bus depot infrastructure development. The proposal had already received the municipal commissioner's approval on April 16.
Land Transfer for Modern Bus Depot
In another significant decision, the panel approved a proposal for the permanent transfer of 3.54 hectares of land at Khapri, located outside the Mihan SEZ, for the development of a modern bus depot. The land, bearing khasra numbers 145/1 and 146, will be used for bus parking, EV charging stations, and transport facilities.
The Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) board has given in-principle approval for the land allotment. As per the proposal, the lease premium is fixed at Rs 1,725 per square metre, taking the total cost to Rs 6.10 crore, plus taxes. The lease period will be 66 years, with a nominal annual lease rent of Rs 1,000 per hectare.
Importance for Electric Bus Fleet
Officials stated that the development of charging infrastructure and depot facilities is crucial as NMC expands its electric bus fleet under sustainable urban mobility plans. These proposals are expected to accelerate the city's transition towards cleaner public transport while improving the operational efficiency of bus services.
