Nagpur: For thousands of commuters across the region, waiting for a bus often means standing under a blazing sun or scrambling for cover during sudden showers. This struggle may soon ease, with the state govt clearing ₹15 crore for the construction of 75 passenger shelters across five districts in the Nagpur region. The proposed shelters will be built in Nagpur, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Wardha and Bhandara, focusing on bus stops that currently lack even the most basic infrastructure.Nagpur division will receive 13 passenger shelters under the plan, with an allocation of approximately ₹2.6 crore. Each unit has been pegged at close to ₹20 lakh, with a detailed estimate of about ₹19.98 lakh covering civil structure, foundation, electrification, GST and contingencies. The shelters will be equipped with covered roofing, seating arrangements and basic amenities, and are expected to follow a standardised design to ensure uniform quality across locations.Bhandara has been allotted the highest share, with 22 shelters worth ₹4.4 crore, followed by Wardha with 14 shelters costing ₹2.8 crore. Alongside Nagpur, even Chandrapur and Gadchiroli will each get 13 shelters, with allocations of around ₹2.6 crore per district, as per a govt notification dated April 2.Officials said the focus is on improving commuter convenience, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas where passengers are often left exposed to extreme weather due to the absence of proper shelters.For daily passengers, especially those dependent on state transport buses, the lack of proper waiting spaces has long been a concern. Commuters often rely on makeshift arrangements or nearby shops for shade, while many are left exposed to heatwaves in summer and heavy rains during the monsoon.Officials said that the approval marks the first step, with the project set to move into the technical clearance and tendering phase. With consistent demand for better amenities at bus stops, the upcoming shelters are expected to bring visible relief to passengers and enhance the overall travel experience across the Nagpur region.
