Vasai Virar free bus service will operate on two key routes during the Ganpati immersion processions to help devotees reach designated jetties and reduce travel difficulties caused by traffic congestion, according to a report by Loksatta.
The Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation has arranged the special transport service for Anant Chaturdashi, when 10-day Ganpati idols are immersed across the city. The service will run from 4 pm until the immersion celebrations conclude late at night.
The first route will connect Vasai State Transport depot with Vasai Fort jetty. The second will run between Global City in Virar and Marambalpada jetty. The municipal corporation has made the buses available specifically for devotees travelling to the jetties during public Ganpati immersion processions.
Vasai-Virar sees large processions organised by public Ganeshotsav mandals during the immersion period. These processions are expected to place additional pressure on roads leading to the immersion locations, with the civic administration identifying the possibility of traffic congestion along the routes.
The free service is intended to make the final journey to the jetties easier for devotees while supporting the movement of people during the processions. By providing transport on the two identified corridors, the municipal corporation is also seeking to keep traffic arrangements more manageable during the evening and late-night immersion period.
The decision comes against the backdrop of a concentrated movement of people towards immersion points on Anant Chaturdashi. Public processions, buses and private vehicles use the road network at the same time, making access to jetties a key operational issue for the civic administration.
The Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation has not provided, in the report, details of the number of buses, frequency of trips, passenger capacity, traffic diversions or the full list of stops on either route. The available information also does not specify whether the service will operate in both directions or identify separate arrangements for emergency access and other road users.
The special buses will continue from 4 pm until the immersion ceremony ends late at night, covering the Vasai State Transport depot–Vasai Fort jetty and Global City–Marambalpada jetty routes.
