Nagpur: With lakhs of devotees expected to visit Deekshabhoomi on Oct 20 for the 70th Dhammachakra Pravartan Din celebrations, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has announced special bus services connecting Deekshabhoomi and Mor Bhavan with Dragon Palace Temple in Kamptee.The special services will operate from Oct 19 to 21 to facilitate the movement of devotees arriving from different parts of Maharashtra and other states. MSRTC has planned to deploy 102 buses on Oct 20, the main day of celebrations, against 18 buses on Oct 19.According to MSRTC officials, of the 102 buses scheduled for Oct 20, 78 will operate from Deekshabhoomi (Kachipura), while 24 will operate from Mor Bhavan towards Dragon Palace Temple.The special services will be operated through Imamwada, Vardhaman Nagar, Ghat Road and Ganeshpeth depots, with additional buses being provided by Umred, Katol, Ramtek and Saoner depots.On Oct 20, services from Deekshabhoomi will begin as early as 6 am, while those from Mor Bhavan will commence at 6.30 am. Several buses will operate at 15-minute intervals to accommodate the expected passenger rush.MSRTC has fixed the ticket fare at Rs 55 for travel between Deekshabhoomi and Dragon Palace, while passengers boarding from Mor Bhavan will have to pay Rs 50.Under the existing concession schemes, senior citizens aged 75 and above will be eligible for free travel. Those aged 65 and above, women passengers and children below 12 years will receive a 50% concession on fares.The arrangements have been made following instructions from the divisional commissioner and district collector to ensure convenient transportation for devotees visiting the two prominent Buddhist pilgrimage sites.MSRTC officials have appealed to devotees to make maximum use of the special bus services to avoid inconvenience during the celebrations.
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