Incomplete works at Central Bus Stand home to filth, flies, animals
   Date :24-Jul-2023

Incomplete works at Central Bus Stand  
 
 
 
By Rutu Borkar
Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation’s (MSRTC) plans for construction of two new buildings and a parking platform to augment passenger amenities at the Central Bus Stand located at Ganeshpeth has come to a standstill. This has resulted in a grim situation where travellers have to face hardships as their safety and health are at stake. The under construction buildings have now turned into an abode of filth. Animals loiter freely around the premises. Many use the place to relieve themselves, that is causing severe inconvenience to fellow passengers who reach the Ganeshpeth Bus Stand. Authorities have turned a blind eye to the entire situation. The place has now become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies.
 
The MSRTC had started the construction of two buildings, one each on the entry and exit side of CBS, just before COVID-19 lockdown. The building at the entry gate side was meant to provide increased amenities like passenger waiting area, parcel room, post office, resting areas for drivers, especially women drivers, police room, washrooms etc. The incomplete building on the exit side of gate was meant exclusively for buses and passengers plying on the Bhandara route so as to segregate them from vehicles running in other direction. Similarly it was also to host separate ticketing, inquiry counters and waiting areas. At present, cracks have started to emerge in the structure and creepers have grown around the pillars, indicating that public money going waste has not bothered anyone in the corporation. The construction of the bus parking platforms also remains incomplete, with only the basic iron structure in place. The iron poles have now lost its shine and started to gather rust.
 
Speaking to ‘The Hitavada’, Satish Katre, Deputy Engineer, MSTRC, stated that the work order for the construction of the parking platform and building was allotted before COVID-19 outbreak. The contractor M/s Aditya Construction was awarded the works at the cost of Rs 9.99 crore and 18 months were stipulated for the completion of the works. However, the work was stopped during the pandemic and it never gathered momentum thereafter. The construction company was asked to carry out the pending works after normalcy returned. But it did not pay any attention to MSRTC's direction as they sought hike in the construction costs. Owning to this delay, we had to blacklist the company and also cancelled the work order. In the latest development, Katre confirmed that the construction company has orally agreed to the carrying the pending works, as per the work order but a written confirmation was awaited. The CBS serves as a strategic location for travellers travelling to various parts of Maharashtra, especially to the remote areas. Correspondingly, it receives a heavy footfall of passengers that include daily up-down commuters, families, school and college students, children and the elderly. The construction activity and ongoing monsoon will prove a major task for MSRTC to conduct the works safely.