Nagpur: The transport committee of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), chaired by Mangala Khekre, on Thursday approved two key proposals aimed at strengthening the city’s public transport infrastructure, including electric bus operations.In the meeting held at NMC HQ, the committee granted financial and administrative approval for the construction of 33 KV feeder bays at two major bus depots. At Wathoda depot in East Nagpur, the feeder bay (electric and civil works) will be built at a cost of 80.07 lakh after deducting supervision charges. Similarly, at Khapri depot on Wardha Road, the feeder bay project has been approved at 74.93 lakh.The total expenditure of 1.55 crore will be drawn from the 35 crore provision earmarked under bus depot infrastructure development. The proposal has already received municipal commissioner’s nod on April 16.In another significant decision, the panel approved a proposal for permanent transfer of 3.54 hectares of land at Khapri, located outside Mihan SEZ, for development of a modern bus depot. The land, bearing khasra numbers 145/1 and 146, will be used for bus parking, EV charging stations and transport facilities.The Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) board has given in-principle approval for the land allotment. As per the proposal, lease premium is fixed at 1,725 per square metre, taking the total cost to 6.10 crore, plus taxes. The lease period will be 66 years, with a nominal annual lease rent of 1,000 per hectare.Officials said the development of charging infrastructure and depot facilities is crucial as NMC expands its electric bus fleet under sustainable urban mobility plans. The proposals are expected to accelerate the city’s transition towards cleaner public transport while improving the operational efficiency of the bus services.
