The plan to use the ST depot land for MBMT buses remains on paper 2 years after the proposal

It has been more than two years since the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) agreed to allow the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) to use its land near Bhayandar station for bus parking. However, the proposal remains on paper as the MSRTC has not yet handed over the land to the MBMC.

The MSRTC had acquired the 2-acre land for the establishment of its State Transport (ST) bus terminal. However, the much needed depot is far from complete as construction work has been halted due to restrictions imposed by Coastal Zone Regulations (CRZ).

MBMC chief Dilip Dhole has re-applied to the state transportation commissioner for temporary possession of the land, so the MBMT bus fleet can be parked safely.

Even though there is uncertainty over its use by commuters in the near future, the bus terminal has started to benefit people other than commuters who have started parking vehicles including trucks, private buses and vehicles. tourism in unsupervised premises. In addition, despite the availability of a large vacant lot, drivers of MBMT, BEST and ST buses are forced to park their vehicles on the busy road, resulting in serious traffic jams.

The local legislator – Geeta Jain also requested the intervention of the transport commissioner to allow the public transport authority of the MBMC to use the land.

It has been alleged that the plot has not only become a preferred parking spot for private vehicles, but also turns into a safe haven for antisocial elements, especially alcoholics and junkies for consuming alcohol and of drugs at night. It is recalled that four private luxury buses were destroyed in a mysterious fire near the proposed ST bus depot in December of last year. Thousands of passengers get on and off at this bus depot daily, but there is a complete lack of basic facilities.

Posted on: Thursday November 25, 2021 6:16 PM IST