September 15, 2025: Once envisioned as a vital transport hub, the Thane State Transport (ST) Bus Depot has today become a symbol of alarming neglect. Despite being used daily by thousands of passengers, the facility lies in a perilous state, marked by crumbling buildings, gaping potholes and widespread squalor.
Visitors to the depot are met with stretches of waterlogged craters filled with muck and rubbish, making it hazardous for both commuters and bus drivers. Inside, the situation is even more dire. Offices housing Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) staff operate under ceilings at risk of collapse, with falling plaster and exposed steel rods creating constant fear among employees.
Ironically, the depot is located in the very city represented by both the deputy chief minister and the state transport minister. Yet, despite repeated complaints from locals and daily commuters, no meaningful action has followed. “The depot looks as if it has been bombed,” remarked one passenger. “We don’t want Wi-Fi or luxury buses — we simply want the roof not to fall on our heads.”
MSRTC divisional manager Vijay Redekar admitted to the gravity of the situation. He confirmed that proposals had been submitted to the Thane Municipal Corporation, and that repairs would begin within a fortnight. “In the interim, unsafe portions will be demolished and the ground floor retained. We are fully aware of the urgency and have prioritised safety measures,” he stated.
However, commuter associations remain unconvinced. Nandkumar Deshmukh, president of the Thane Railway Passengers Association, expressed frustration at the silence of Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik. “If even the minister from Thane will not respond, what hope remains for ordinary citizens?” he asked.
With peak-hour crowds passing through a depot described as a “ticking time bomb”, residents fear that only a tragedy will finally force decisive action.
Source: Mid-day
