Nagpur: Riding high on the festive times, Maha Metro achieved its highest ridership this calendar year, with 1,44,059 commuters using the Nagpur Metro on Saturday — Dussehra day. The spike in ridership coincided with major citywide celebrations, including Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din, Dussehra, and Ravan Dahan, which attracted thousands of participants.
To accommodate the increased demand, MahaMetro had already extended train timings to 12 midnight from all four terminal stations — Khapri, Automotive Square, Lokmanya Nagar, and Prajapati Nagar on the Dussehra eve.
Wenesday Rate
Saturday 28 Dec. 2024
This extension allowed both local residents and visitors from other parts of the state and country to participate in the festivities while enjoying a hassle-free travel experience.
MahaMetro consistently saw a surge in ridership this year, with the average footfall nearing a lakh every week. The first highest ridership of the year was in February at 97,000, as the streets were blocked due to the protest by the Gonds. This hike is the year’s fifth and all-time highest ridership, with all of the footfalls except the first one crossing one lakh mark. Week before Dussehra saw a consistent ridership of above one lakh.
The surge in ridership was most visible at key metro stations, where passengers, including large numbers of disciples attending Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din events at Deekshabhoomi, relied on the metro for intra-city transportation. Other activities related to the event were also held across different parts of the city, contributing to the significant footfall.
In anticipation of this increase, MahaMetro deployed additional staff at various metro stations to ensure smooth operations. Ticket counter personnel, security guards, and housekeeping staff were strategically positioned to handle the rush. This enhanced manpower aimed to provide commuters with an improved travel experience, and the record ridership numbers served as evidence of the metro’s efficiency during the high-demand period.
The festive occasion of Vijayadashami, marking the culmination of the 9-day Navratri Utsav, saw many Nagpurians staying out late into the night, with metro services facilitating their transportation needs. Passengers took advantage of the extended metro service to attend various events, including the symbolic Ravan Dahan.
