The Panvel ST Depot will operate additional buses for passengers travelling from Navi Mumbai and surrounding areas to Konkan, Kolhapur and western Maharashtra during the Ganeshotsav period, according to a report by Loksatta – Navi Mumbai published on September 9.
Additional bus services will begin on September 11. The depot plans to operate six extra buses on September 11, 23 on September 12 and one on September 13. Nine reserved buses will also be operated for passengers travelling towards Konkan.
The Panvel depot is a key departure point during Ganeshotsav for residents of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Dombivli, Kalyan and Nalasopara travelling to their native places. The increase in services has been planned in response to rising passenger demand ahead of the festival.
The report said group reservations have received a stronger response than last year, with bookings completed for 30 buses so far. The information available in the report does not specify the total seating capacity or the detailed destinations for each service.
Separately, the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde has arranged 112 free ST buses for Ganesh devotees from Navi Mumbai. These buses will depart on September 11 from Airoli, Koparkhairane, Vashi, Nerul and CBD Belapur for destinations in Konkan, Kolhapur and western Maharashtra.
According to Manoj Haldankar, a corporator and group leader, 8,400 passengers have registered for the free bus service. The arrangements are intended to provide additional public transport capacity during the festival travel period. The reported schedule places the first additional services on September 11.
