Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation is currently operating 580 city buses and has already earmarked nearly Rs 150 crore as viability gap funding to keep operations running smoothly, even as the civic transport department unveiled its revised budget for 2025-26 and proposed budget for 2026-27. Presenting the budget before the transport committee chaired by Mangala Khekre, transport manager Meghna Vasanakar said the focus remains on strengthening public transport in Nagpur through expansion of electric buses, modern depots, and improved passenger facilities. However, the financial figures underline the heavy dependence of the Aapli Bus service on civic funding. The revised estimate for 2025-26 projects total income of Rs 418.40 crore against expenditure of Rs 417.90 crore. But the 2026-27 proposal reflects growing financial pressure. The department expects operational expenditure to touch nearly Rs 350 crore, while revenue from ticket sales and other sources is likely to remain around Rs 190 crore. This will leave the civic body to bridge a major deficit through municipal funds. It will have to provide viability gap funding of Rs 150 crore for running the Aapli Bus operation smoothly.Despite the financial strain, the department is pushing ahead with fleet expansion. At present, the city bus service operates 580 buses, including 385 electric buses, 150 diesel midi buses, and 45 mini buses. The service caters to an average 1.61 lakh passengers daily, with over 7,000 bus trips operated every day. Officials said the shift towards electric mobility remains a key priority. Funds sanctioned during the tenure of former deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis helped the civic body procure 250 air-conditioned electric buses, of which 105 have already been received. Another 144 air-conditioned electric buses procured using 15th Finance Commission funds are already operational, supported by a modern charging depot at Bhandewadi.The budget also proposes increasing revenue through advertisements at bus shelters and depots, along with commercial schemes to strengthen non-ticket income. At the same time, the civic body has already spent Rs 31 crore this year on development of electric bus depots and plans to spend Rs 35 crore in the coming financial year. Officials admitted that the city bus service cannot survive solely on fare revenue but said strengthening public transport remains essential as the city continues to expand and private vehicle traffic rises sharply. ARTICULATED BUSES ON INNER RING ROADThe Nagpur Municipal Corporation has proposed introducing 25 articulated buses on the Inner Ring Road to handle rising passenger demand on high-traffic routes in Nagpur. The Centre has already sanctioned Rs 152 crore under an electric mobility scheme for procurement of these buses and related infrastructure. The civic body submitted the detailed project report (DPR) to the Centre in Nov last year and the approval is awaited. Officials, however, have not clarified the reason behind the delay, especially when Maha Metro has already expressed interest in operating services along the same corridor. Each articulated bus is expected to carry over 120 passengers in a single trip. BUS SHELTERS FACE OPPOSITION, 1,600 MORE NEEDED The civic transport department has admitted that a major infrastructure gap continues to affect the city bus service. At present, 244 modern bus shelters have been installed across the city under the Aapli Bus network. Work on another 35 shelters has been delayed due to strong opposition from residents and shopkeepers, who are not allowing shelters to be installed outside their houses and commercial establishments. In the next financial year, the NMC has set a target to erect 111 additional bus shelters. These bus shelters are being constructed on build, operate and transfer basis, and the department is earning Rs 14,600 per bus shelter per annum. This will help the NMC increase revenue. According to a recent survey conducted by the NMC, the city still requires nearly 1,600 additional bus stops. In view of the resistance, the department is now planning to install bus stop poles at several locations instead of full-scale shelters. INFOGRAPHICS (NOT PART OF COPY) CITY BUS FLEET580 total buses385 e-buses150 diesel midi buses45 mini busesFINANCIALS (2026-27)Operational cost: Rs 350 croreExpected revenue: Rs 110 croreViability gap funding: Rs 150 crorePASSENGER DATA1.61 lakh daily passengers7,000+ daily tripsBUS SHELTERS244 installed35 pending due to opposition1,600 more required
