NMC plans to cancel 54 Aapli buses

Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has planned to cancel about 54 standard buses. Because the life of all these vehicles will be completely finished in February 2022. “Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) Limited – Aapli Bus Program Manager – has submitted a proposal to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation to the effect of this,” This was well confirmed by a senior official of the Transport Department.

These buses were also part of about 237 buses given by the central government under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). And out of all these 5 buses was first canceled after the accidental fire incidents.

Presently Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) also has a fleet of more than 433 vehicles. Out of which 45 mini, 232 standard, 6 electric, and 150 MIDI buses are also included in this. Which were bought by the state government only with the money allocated to operate the ferries of women.

Municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B can also make a decision on this proposal of the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System. In a meeting of the Steering Committee to be held on the date of 9 November.

Diesel Assisted Standard Buses into CNG

Sources have also pulled up Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System for bypassing the official process by submitting this proposal directly to Additional Commissioner Deepak Meena. The chairman of the transport committee, whose name is Jitendra Kukde, has said that there is a great need to present any proposal related to any policy decision related to the operation of the city buses before the transport committee. And no such proposal has been presented before this panel.

The official has also disclosed that up to 54 standard buses are proposed to be abandoned. They are operational and have also stated that NMC has already converted about 70 diesel-assisted standard buses to CNG. Apart from this, plans can also be made to convert the remaining 162 buses to CNG.

The senior official has said that long ago the life of about 70 standard buses. Running on CNG has increased by 5 years. With the cancellation of about 54 buses, the fleet strength of Aapli Bus will be greatly reduced. And then it may also affect the smooth operation of the city bus service on many routes.

Jitendra has said that in order to phase out the buses by about 54, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation will have to replace those buses with electric or some other eco-friendly vehicles.

The cost of 1 electric bus is around Rs 1.50 crore. And to replace up to 54 buses, the civic body will need around Rs 70 crore. With the current financial situation, it will be very difficult for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation to arrange funds for this.

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