Efforts are underway to finally resolve the persistent challenges of first and last mile connectivity in the MIHAN area. The Association for Industrial Development (AID) recently organized a meeting at the HCL campus in MIHAN, bringing together senior officials from Maha Metro and stakeholders. The aim was to tackle the connectivity issues that affect more than 50,000 employees working in MIHAN.
The meeting primarily aimed to address the connectivity challenges that have long troubled employees commuting to MIHAN from various parts of the city. Stakeholders agreed on implementing a feeder service that will operate on a fixed route and fare structure, designed to improve accessibility for commuters to the Khapri Metro Station in a convenient circular manner.
At present, employees and visitors depend on local transportation to access MIHAN. In response, AID has put forward a plan to introduce feeder services with specific routes that can be completed within 20 minutes. This proposal encompasses both clockwise and anti-clockwise bus services, ensuring extensive coverage of all essential stops identified by MIHAN stakeholders.
The initiative aims to provide seamless travel from Khapri Station to MIHAN campuses and offer convenient first-mile service for return trips. Integration with a common mobility card is set to improve commuting, encouraging more use of Nagpur Metro and public transport. This effort promises to resolve MIHAN’s connectivity issues and promote sustainable transportation solutions. The meeting also announced fare rationalization by Maha Metro effective March 1, 2024, with reductions of up to 30% in certain fare categories, and an additional 10% discount for Maha Card users.
AID has proposed the introduction of Feeder e-Buses in MIHAN, aiming to collaborate with the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and commence operations within 15 days. A formal proposal will be submitted after a meeting with the NMC Commissioner. AID plans to distribute 100,000 flyers detailing feeder routes and schedules across MIHAN organizations to promote this initiative.
Mahesh Moroney, Senior Deputy General Manager of METRO, discussed with NMC officials, who have pledged their support to start the bus service within the specified timeframe. Maha Metro will facilitate charging facilities for NMC’s e-Buses at their stations. They also addressed issues with existing e-Auto services, committing to increasing vehicle numbers, standardizing routes, and aligning charges to resolve current disparities. Additionally, Maha Metro requested AID to provide shift-wise employee distribution information to establish an effective feeder bus schedule.