Pune Rains Disrupt Buses And Trains Leaving Commuters Stranded
Pune: Heavy rainfall across Maharashtra brought urban mobility to a standstill on Tuesday, crippling intercity train operations and disrupting state-run and city bus services, leaving thousands of commuters grappling with delays and uncertainty. The disruption underscored the city’s fragile transport infrastructure, raising concerns about the preparedness of public systems to withstand climate-induced challenges.
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) confirmed widespread delays on the Mumbai–Pune corridor, one of the busiest routes in the state. Officials cited safety as the prime concern, noting that waterlogging on highways and city roads forced rescheduling and, in some cases, cancellation of services. Intercity buses heading towards Kolhapur and Solapur were also running behind schedule. Transport authorities indicated that if the reduced passenger flow persists, services on some routes may temporarily be scaled down.
The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML), responsible for city transport, reported 69 bus breakdowns in just one day, with private contractor-operated vehicles accounting for the majority. Commuters faced arduous waits in the rain, and many were compelled to shift to more expensive and less sustainable options like autorickshaws. Passengers also complained of poor bus maintenance, pointing to leaking electric buses, raising further questions about the quality control of contracted fleets. A senior PMPML official confirmed that no bus with leakage is permitted to ply and added that an inquiry into the lapses is underway.
Rail connectivity between Pune and Mumbai suffered severe setbacks, as several services including the Deccan Express, Pragati Express, Intercity Express, Indrayani Express and the iconic Deccan Queen were cancelled. Short-termination of four Mumbai-bound trains at Pune, alongside diversions and rescheduling of others, further complicated travel plans. The newly introduced Vande Bharat service between Mumbai and Solapur was also cancelled, highlighting how extreme weather directly affects modern rail assets as much as conventional ones. The rainfall not only disrupted road and rail networks but also heightened anxiety among air passengers. Flyers departing from Pune and Mumbai chose to leave several hours earlier than usual to avoid the risk of missing flights. While airport authorities in Pune reported only minor delays, the experience highlighted the vulnerability of airport access routes when other mobility channels falter.
Urban mobility specialists argue that the monsoon’s recurring impact exposes a deeper structural challenge in Maharashtra’s transport systems. The dependency on road-based travel and insufficient resilience measures in rail infrastructure continue to exacerbate the problem. Experts recommend stronger climate adaptation strategies, including drainage upgrades, real-time traffic management, and investments in electric and resilient fleets that can sustain operations even in adverse weather. For commuters, however, Tuesday’s ordeal was more than just another rainy-day inconvenience; it was a reminder of how critical sustainable and reliable transport is for the functioning of a modern city. With rainfall patterns intensifying year after year, the state’s ability to build resilient, eco-friendly transport networks will determine whether urban growth remains equitable and sustainable in the decades ahead.
