Nagpur: A major flaw has come to fore in the traffic police’s directive banning the pick-up and drop for private buses at various spots in areas inside the Inner Ring Road from 8am to 10pm. As per the notification issued on Tuesday, the ban also applies to New Sneh Nagar bus stop, commonly known as Chhatrapati Square bus stop, which is technically beyond the Inner Ring Road. Private bus operators claimed that even the police are confused about what should be done to resolve the issue. On Tuesday, the traffic police listed key trouble spots — Central Avenue, Variety Square, Cotton Market, Rahate Colony Square, Great Nag Road near the central bus stand, Dighori Square, Automotive Square, Indora Square, and Sneh Nagar Bus Stop — where buses routinely stop without authorisation, while announcing no entry for private buses inside the Inner Ring Road. Now, passengers as well as private bus operators are confused about the status at Chhatrapati Square bus stop, which is a major point for long-distance and short-distance buses. Speaking to TOI, DCP (Traffic) Lohit Matani said that pick-up and drop will not be allowed from Chhatrapati Bus Stop and even Somalwada. “Both these areas come inside the inner ring road,” the DCP said, adding that if private operators approach the police, they will help them find locations and demarcate them.However, the private bus operators and passengers claimed that Chhatrapati Square bus stop is beyond the Inner Ring Road, so pick-up and drop-off would be allowed here. “The traffic police have taken this decision in haste without proper consultation. We suggested many options for the pick-up and drop locations, but they issued the notification without announcing the spots. This would convenience citizens and risk their safety as they would have to travel long distance to board the bus and arrange for transportation if the drop point is on the city’s outskirts,” said Baba Deware, president of Nagpur Travels Association.“If a girl is travelling alone, then who will be responsible for her safety?” asked Deware. “Currently, every pick-up and drop location is located at a crowded place or our offices are there, which ensure the safety of travellers waiting for the bus,” he said. Another operator, Mahendra Luley, said that as per law, it is the duty of traffic police as well as the administration to provide us options for pick-up and drop as our business is for the general public. “However, the police issued the notification without specifying the locations,” said Luley, urging police to find a better alternative.Some of the private operators also claimed that they are mulling approaching the court against the order or completely discontinuing the bus services. **Box:**# 18-20 pick-up and drop points in city: OperatorsPrivate operators said on average, 350 to 400 buses travel from Nagpur, ferrying around 2,500 to 3,000 passengers daily. Around 100 buses operate for short distances to Wardha, Yavatmal, Chandrapur, Gondia, Bhandara and other nearby districts. Many daily travellers park their vehicles near bus stops for convenience, they saidAs per the operators, there are around 18 to 20 pick-up and drop points in the city. All spots are located at key junctions or near bus stands and railway stations, providing better connectivity, they said.**Box:**‘Cops ignored suggestions from operators’Private operators said citizens will have to travel long distances to board buses and will be dropped at a spot on city’s outskirts. “This would not only increase travel cost but risk safety of passengers. Traffic police did not consider two designated spots on seven important streets suggested by operators. Police propose to demarcate spots and later take action in case of violations. Cops are asking operators to arrange locations on their own rather than helping them out.**Major destinations for inter-state and intra-state buses – Hyderabad– Pune– Mumbai– Ayodhya– Banaras– Lucknow– Kanpur– Chhattisgarh– Madhya Pradesh– Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
