Ban On Pvt Buses In City: Traffic Cops Propose Six Pickup-Drop Terminals on Outskirts

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Illustration showing Nagpur traffic plan with new outskirts terminals

A Bold Step Toward Decongesting Nagpur

Ban on private buses Nagpur: Imagine waking up to smooth traffic, clean roads, and fewer honks echoing through the city. Sounds dreamy, right? That dream might just be turning into reality in Nagpur. With the Nagpur traffic police teaming up with the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), a new strategy is unfolding — banning private intercity buses from the city center and shifting them to six dedicated terminals on the outskirts. This bold move isn’t just about cutting congestion; it’s about transforming how Nagpur travels.

Why Private Buses Became a Problem in Nagpur

Unregulated Growth and Traffic Chaos

Let’s face it — private intercity buses are everywhere. With around 1,606 private buses entering and exiting Nagpur daily, the city is struggling to manage this overwhelming volume. Most of these buses halt randomly, occupy road space, and create bottlenecks that frustrate commuters.

Unsafe Parking and Random Halts

These buses often stop in narrow streets, creating dangerous situations for pedestrians and commuters alike. Locations like Tekdi Road, once ideal, now feel like ticking time bombs due to congestion and limited access.

Short-Term Fixes Aren’t Enough

Sure, the authorities tried issuing challans. But we all know that’s like putting a Band-Aid on a fractured bone. What Nagpur needed was a long-term, sustainable mobility solution.

The Vision: Six Pickup-Drop Terminals on City Outskirts

Strategic Locations Identified

The proposed bus terminals will be set up on six key entry roads to the city:

Wardha Road
Bhandara Road
Chhindwara Road
Jabalpur Road
Umred Road
Amravati Road

These locations are not random picks — they’re carefully chosen based on traffic patterns and survey data.

Wardha Road: The Busiest Route

A detailed 24-hour survey revealed that Wardha Road alone accounts for 642 buses daily, nearly 40% of total bus movement. So naturally, it’s a prime spot for a terminal.

Who’s Behind This Plan?

Meet the Key Players

DCP (Traffic) Archit Chandak: Spearheading the campaign with a clear vision and action plan.
NMC Commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari: Committed to supporting infrastructure and citizen convenience.
NIT, RTO, Private Operators, and Citizens: All stakeholders are being brought into the decision-making loop.

How the New Terminals Will Function

Designed for Efficiency and Convenience

Each terminal will have:

Basic amenities like seating, washrooms, ticket counters
Proximity to Metro stations for smooth city connectivity
Clearly marked pickup and drop zones
Ample parking space

Phased Rollout and Gradual Implementation

The rollout won’t be overnight. The NMC will lease lands, including three from its own holdings and one from NIT. Two more — Vihirgaon and Koradi Road — are on private land, and agreements are underway.

Benefits for the City and Its People

1. Decongested Roads

Less chaos in the inner city. The Inner Ring Road will be off-limits to private buses between 8 AM and 10 AM, reducing peak-hour stress.

2. Safer Commutes

No more buses parked haphazardly or blocking emergency vehicles.

3. Better Air Quality

Reduced congestion means fewer emissions, cleaner air, and a healthier environment.

4. Streamlined Public Transport

City buses and the MahaMetro will integrate with these terminals, ensuring a seamless commute.

What’s the Public Saying?

Mixed Emotions, Strong Hopes

While some fear inconvenience, especially for older travelers or those unfamiliar with the outskirts, others welcome the change.

“It’s time Nagpur followed the footsteps of cities like Pune and Ahmedabad,” said one commuter at the stakeholders’ meeting.

Challenges Ahead: Will It Work?

Survey Failures and Zone Overlaps

Initially, a zone-wise mapping failed because buses operate across zones. But a 24-hour checkpost survey fixed the data gap.

Land Acquisition Hurdles

While three sites are ready to go, private lands still need official acquisition and stakeholder consent.

Behavioral Shift Required

Bus operators and commuters will have to change age-old habits. But with proper infrastructure, that’s doable.

Emergency Provisions and Special Cases

Life happens, and the authorities get that. So emergency vehicles and buses for weddings or special events can still enter the city — if they get prior approval.

Inspired by Success Stories in Other Cities

Ahmedabad and Pune Lead the Way

Both cities saw smoother traffic and happier citizens after moving intercity buses out of downtown. Nagpur aims to replicate this success.

How Will Commuters Access the City from Terminals?

Integrated with MahaMetro

Terminals will be strategically placed near Metro stations, ensuring travelers can easily hop onto local transport.

City Buses as Feeders

City buses will act as feeder services, bridging the gap between terminals and key city hubs.

What Comes Next?

Common Mobility Plan in the Works

This initiative is part of Nagpur’s broader Common Mobility Plan, integrating with all modes of public transportation.

Rent Agreements and Infrastructure Development

Before operations kick off, the NMC will finalize rental deals, set up basic infrastructure, and roll out services in phases.

Data Snapshot: 24-Hour Bus Movement Survey

Road Name	No. of Buses
Wardha Road	642
Umred Road	308
Jabalpur Road	296
Amravati Road	190
Bhandara Road	92
Chhindwara Road	78
Total	1606

A Necessary Shift for a Growing City

Change is never easy. But sometimes, it’s the only path forward. With 7,000 new vehicles hitting Nagpur’s roads every month, continuing with outdated infrastructure is not an option. The proposed ban on private buses in city limits is a proactive move toward sustainable urban transport. If implemented well, it could set a benchmark for other cities grappling with similar issues.

Let’s face it — it’s time Nagpur evolved.