Nagpur: The MIHAN Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Nagpur is witnessing a steady surge in public transport usage, fueled by the seamless integration of metro rail and feeder bus services. Leading companies operating in the zone are now urging authorities to further expand feeder bus frequency to meet growing commuter demand.

IT major HCL Technologies has formally requested an increase in feeder bus trips from Khapri Metro Station, citing rising employee reliance on public transport. Similarly, KC Overseas Education, which employs around 250 people, has approached Maha Metro with a similar demand.

The feeder bus service, launched jointly by Maha Metro and the Nagpur Municipal Corporation in July 2024, connects Khapri Metro Station with key employment hubs across MIHAN SEZ. The initiative was designed to enhance last-mile connectivity for employees working in major organizations such as Tata Consultancy Services, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Nagpur, National Cancer Institute Nagpur, Tech Mahindra, Infosys, and others.

Initially, the feeder service operated with 10 buses completing 284 trips. The fleet was later expanded to 15 buses, currently running 226 trips. Officials note that the improved service has significantly boosted commuter confidence, leading to a notable increase in ridership. In response, authorities have already begun scaling up daily operations.

With fresh demand emerging from companies like HCL Technologies and KC Overseas Education, passenger footfall at Khapri Metro Station is expected to rise further. To meet this demand efficiently, officials are considering adding 5 to 6 more buses to the fleet, particularly to cater to employees from these organizations.

In a move to streamline daily commuting, authorities are also planning to organize joint registration camps within company premises for Maha Cards and NMC bus passes. Strengthening the integration between metro rail and feeder bus systems is not only enhancing commuter convenience but also helping reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions across the MIHAN SEZ region.