Pune: Demand for Repair of Bus Stop Sheds Grows as Katraj-Hadapasar Route Commuters Suffer in Sweltering Heat

Katraj, 5th April 2024: Passengers along the Katraj-Hadapsar route are facing distressing conditions at bus stands, with the situation appearing more like a scam than a mere inconvenience. Students and women passengers endure the sweltering heat without proper shelter, sparking demands for the repair of bus sheds.

While bus sheds exist, they seem to prioritize advertising space over passenger comfort. This highlights the apparent negligence of the PMPML administration towards ensuring the safety and well-being of waiting passengers, who endure extreme weather conditions without adequate protection.

Numerous locations along the route lack designated bus stops, forcing passengers to endure the scorching heat while awaiting transportation. Even where steel bus stops are present, they offer minimal relief, featuring narrow seating areas supported by four circular pipes, which provide scant protection from the sun or wind.

Notably, many bus stands, except for the Kondhwa Main Bus Stand, appear dilapidated, exacerbating passengers’ discomfort. Additionally, some bus stops purportedly removed for repairs remain absent, leaving commuters vulnerable to the elements.

Amid ongoing road widening projects on the Katraj-Kondhwa road, space constraints impede the installation of new bus stands. However, assurances from Niranjan Tulpule, PMPML Chief Civil Engineer, suggest plans to renovate existing bus stands.

For passengers reliant on PMPML bus services, the situation has become untenable. Uncertainty looms regarding when buses will arrive, exacerbated by the absence or poor condition of bus stops. In the face of soaring temperatures, passengers emphasize the critical need for well-maintained bus stands to provide respite from the heat.