Nagpur: The city is grappling with a significant public transportation crisis, with only 21 buses serving per lakh population, far below the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ recommended 40-60 buses. A recent study by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) has revealed that Nagpur’s fleet of 627 buses falls short of the required 1,470 to adequately meet the city’s growing demand.
The report highlights a grim statewide picture, with Maharashtra operating just 8,700 buses for its 5.6 crore urban residents, against a minimum requirement of 28,800 buses. Of the existing fleet, nearly 3,500 buses are nearing the end of their service life, further aggravating the shortfall. Maharashtra averages only 15 buses per lakh population, leaving millions reliant on private vehicles or informal transport options.
Across the state, 30 of 44 cities with populations exceeding two lakh have no organized public transportation system. Among major cities, Greater Mumbai operates 3,600 buses, offering 27 per lakh population, but still falls short by 4,299 buses. Thane operates 650 buses at 22 per lakh population, while Vasai Virar performs the worst, with just 8 buses per lakh and a requirement of 1,304 buses.
Other cities face similar challenges. Navi Mumbai, with 567 buses, provides only 27 per lakh, Nashik has 250 buses at 13 per lakh, and Kalyan Dombivli struggles with 208 buses at 11 per lakh. These figures underscore the urgent need for a massive investment in public transport infrastructure across Maharashtra.
The ITDP report recommends an expansion of the state’s bus fleet, coupled with a focus on electric mobility solutions, to address the growing demands of urban residents. For Nagpur, the addition of nearly 850 buses would be a critical step toward resolving its public transport challenges, improving mobility, and reducing dependence on private vehicles.