Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) on Monday informed that it would upgrade all 237 existing bus stops with accessibility features in a phased manner within three months. The upgradation, however, would be subject to technical and physical feasibility, as part of its commitment to creating a barrier-free public transport system for persons with disabilities, senior citizens and those with reduced mobility.The assurance was made in an affidavit filed in Nagpur bench of Bombay high court in a PIL instituted by senior citizen Prakash Andhare. Court, in its Feb 17 order, had directed the civic body to submit details of bus stops and footpaths that are accessible to persons with disabilities.The affidavit, sworn by additional municipal commissioner (general) and transport manager Milind Meshram, states that the NMC carried out a comprehensive inspection of all 237 bus stops in the city, assessing the availability of infrastructure in line with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ (MORTH) 2022 accessibility guidelines for bus terminals and bus stops.The survey examined facilities such as ramps, handrails, accessible pathways, tactile paving, adequate lighting, bus-stop signage, and the international symbol of accessibility. Based on the findings, the corporation said the missing infrastructure “shall be made available as far as possible, subject to the technical and physical feasibility of each bus stop within a period of three months in a phased manner”.The civic body also informed that under the Prime Minister e-Bus Scheme, 150 buses equipped with hydraulic ramps or lifts have been sanctioned for Nagpur. Of these, 75 buses are already operating on city routes, while the remaining 75 will be inducted according to the Union govt’s implementation schedule.
