The Thane State Transport (ST) bus depot, a critical commuter hub in Maharashtra, continues to deteriorate, raising serious safety concerns for thousands of daily passengers. Once designed to streamline public transport in the city, the depot now presents a hazardous environment with crumbling infrastructure, deep potholes, and poorly maintained staff facilities. Despite repeated complaints from locals and commuters, visible repairs or upgrades remain minimal, highlighting systemic neglect in urban transport management.
Commuters navigating the depot contend with waterlogged potholes, scattered debris, and uneven surfaces, making boarding and alighting from buses increasingly risky. Drivers report difficulty manoeuvring vehicles, while staff endure unsafe working conditions. Offices within the depot, where crucial administrative operations occur, show severe structural damage. Concrete ceilings have begun to crack and fall, exposing steel reinforcements, creating a constant threat to the safety of employees. Officials acknowledge the depot’s precarious state but cite external factors delaying comprehensive repairs. The divisional manager of MSRTC stated that while a proposal for reconstruction has been approved and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) granted by the Thane Municipal Corporation, work is temporarily hampered by ongoing underground Metro construction. Interim measures include demolishing unused sections and retaining only the ground floor, with repairs scheduled to commence within 15 days.
Local transport advocates stress the urgency of immediate action. The Thane Railway Passengers Association has repeatedly flagged the depot as unsafe, warning that peak-hour crowds exacerbate the risk of accidents. Advocates argue that decades of deferred maintenance now present an imminent threat to both commuters and depot staff, calling for accelerated infrastructure upgrades that prioritise public safety over procedural delays. The Thane depot’s predicament underscores wider challenges in urban transport planning, where critical commuter facilities are often overshadowed by high-profile projects. Experts emphasise that sustainable urban mobility requires maintaining existing infrastructure alongside new developments, ensuring equitable and safe access for all city residents. The depot’s current condition not only impedes operational efficiency but also undermines confidence in public transport, discouraging its adoption and contributing to road congestion.
With daily users numbering in the thousands, authorities face mounting pressure to act decisively. Rapid intervention is crucial, as delays could result in preventable accidents. Meanwhile, commuters continue to navigate a hazardous environment, demonstrating resilience amid infrastructural neglect. The situation offers a stark reminder that urban transport planning must balance expansion with maintenance, ensuring that critical hubs remain functional, safe, and sustainable.
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