Over 1.85 lakh commuters ride Nagpur Metro on Dikshabhoomi and Dussehra days

Large crowds of devotees and ordinary residents turned out in Nagpur on Dhammachakra Pravartan Din and Vijayadashami. Events and festivities were under way at Dikshabhoomi and in other parts of the city, and Nagpur Metro was the main support for people moving around. More than 1.85 lakh passengers travelled by Metro across the two occasions.

This is reported to be the third-highest single-day ridership in the history of Nagpur Metro. The number of passengers rose 23 per cent from last year, meaning Metro use during the festivals was far higher than before.

Trains ran from 5 am to midnight

A large number of devotees were expected at Dikshabhoomi for darshan and events. In view of this, Maha Metro changed its service timings. For the convenience of passengers, Metro trains ran from 5 am until midnight.

The aim was to provide transport both to devotees arriving early in the morning and to those returning late at night. During festivals, crowds and traffic pressure on roads increase, and the Metro became an alternative route for people. With service available from early morning to midnight, people found it easier to plan their journeys. The extended timetable helped devotees going to Dikshabhoomi and those travelling around the city.

Heaviest crowds at Indora Chowk station

Indora Chowk Metro station saw a particularly heavy rush of passengers during the festivals. With so many people arriving, managing the crowd and keeping movement orderly became necessary. Officials and staff posted at the station kept the crowd under control through vigilance, better planning and coordination. Staff played an active role in maintaining order within the station premises.

Growing importance during festivals

Both occasions are important for Nagpur. Large numbers of devotees visit Dikshabhoomi on Dhammachakra Pravartan Din, while on Vijayadashami too, movement of people in the city increases because of many religious, social and cultural events. At such times, a public transport service like the Metro can play a major role in handling the city's traffic.

Taken together, the 1.85 lakh-plus passengers, the 23 per cent rise over last year, the service from morning to midnight and the crowd management at Indora Chowk station once again brought out the role of the city's public transport during festivals.