Nagpur: Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s transport committee, chaired by Mangala Khekre, on Tuesday approved a series of proposals aimed at improving facilities for transport employees, introducing a new religious-tourism bus service and disposing of old buses through e-auction.The committee also cleared a proposal to increase the wages of contractual assistant, maintenance and operation staff in line with the state govt notification dated October 14, 2024. It also approved a Rs4.11-per-km increase in the basic kilometre rate for diesel bus operators. For PMI employees, an increase of 3.84 per km has been proposed for implementation as per the municipal commissioner’s orders.The panel also approved a monthly house rent allowance (HRA) of around Rs952 for nearly 1,880 conductors under Maharashtra Labour Minimum House Rent Allowance Act, 1983. The move will put an additional financial burden of around Rs18.79 lakh per month, or Rs2.25 crore annually, on the civic body.‘DEV DARSHAN’ BUS SERVICEIn a move aimed at promoting religious and cultural tourism in Nagpur and its surrounding areas, the committee approved the launch of a ‘Dev Darshan Yatra Bus Circuit’.The special bus service will cover prominent religious and cultural destinations such as Tekdi Ganesh, Deekshabhoomi, Bada Tajbagh, Swaminarayan temple, Koradi and Chicholi.The service will initially operate on a pilot basis on Saturdays and Sundays, with eight-hour trips available through on-demand and digital booking via Chalo Mobility call centre.The proposed fare is Rs7,000 for a 40-seater bus, Rs6,000 for a 30-seater and Rs5,000 for a 25-seater, for an eight-hour trip.FREE SMART TOILET FOR DRIVERS, CONDUCTORSThe committee also approved free use of smart public toilet at Mor Bhavan depot-2 for NMC bus drivers and conductors.The transport department will pay the contractor around Rs1.25 lakh per month, or Rs15 lakh annually, towards maintenance, cleaning staff salaries and repairs of the facility.108 SCRAP BUSES TO BE AUCTIONEDThe transport committee also cleared disposal of 108 scrap buses that have completed their service life under JNNURM scheme.Of the 114 scrap buses, two will be reserved for Shri Mahashakti project and four for canteen/public-interest purposes. The remaining 108 buses will be disposed of through online e-auction conducted by (Metal Scrap Trade Corporation) Ltd, after completion of the required legal formalities.
