In an effort to revive the long-stalled project, Maharashtra’s Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has ordered officials to issue new tenders and begin building on the Panvel bus terminal right now. Due to the increase in commuter traffic in Panvel, a rapidly expanding township on the outskirts of Mumbai, the bus terminal, which has been unfinished since 2018, is now a top priority.
The announcement was made during a high-level review meeting of the State Transport Department at Vidhan Bhavan on Wednesday. Several legislators, including Vikrant Patil, Balaji Kalyankar, Vijay Deshmukh, and Daulat Daroda, attended the meeting along with senior MSRTC officials, such as Dinesh Mahajan, General Manager (Construction), and Girish Deshmukh, Chief Accounts Officer and Financial Advisor. MLA Vikrant Patil emphasised the urgent need to revive the Panvel bus stand, pointing out the increasing burden on the existing transport infrastructure. Minister Sarnaik instructed officials to fast-track the tendering process and commence construction without further delays.
The minister spoke about a number of other postponed transport projects in Maharashtra in addition to Panvel. In response to citizens long-standing request, he instructed authorities to give building a bus terminal at Sangvi in Nanded top priority. Balaji Kalyankar, a Nanded MLA, encouraged the government to expedite the project, pointing out its significance for the public transit system in the area.
Additionally, Sarnaik called for speeding up the development of a new bus port in Shahapur (Thane district) and a central bus stand in Solapur city. With the monsoon season approaching, he also suggested installing temporary sheds at major bus stations to provide shelter to passengers and minimise disruptions caused by heavy rains.
There is a greater need for contemporary, well-equipped bus terminals as Maharashtra becomes more urbanised. MLAs Vijay Deshmukh (Solapur) and Daulat Daroda (Shahapur) emphasised the critical role these initiatives would play in guaranteeing smooth public transport, especially for everyday commuters and students.
Minister Sarnaik assured that the State Transport Department would prioritise these infrastructure developments and ensure their timely execution to enhance Maharashtra’s public transport system.
Source: The Free Press Journal
