Waterlogging At Bhiwandi ST Depot Leaves Commuters Struggling Amid Heavy Rains
Severe waterlogging at the Bhiwandi State Transport depot has left thousands of commuters struggling to navigate stagnant water, slush, and accumulated garbage following incessant rainfall over the past month. With the depot's drainage system completely disrupted, passengers are forced to wade through dirty water to board buses.
The nearly 65-year-old depot premises house approximately 66 buses across various categories and serve as a vital transit hub. The facility operates roughly 80 daily bus trips to Kalyan and nearly 50 trips to Thane. However, clogged drains and unmanaged waste have created hazardous conditions, raising hygiene concerns and leading to a growing mosquito menace on the premises.
Local residents stated that rainwater from the depot was historically channelled into the Bhiwandi civic body's drainage network. However, that connection has remained disrupted for the past five to six years. The standing water poses significant difficulties for daily commuters, schoolchildren, women, and senior citizens, who frequently get splashed with dirty water when buses pass through the submerged yard.
The state government has already floated a tender to demolish and redevelop the dilapidated depot building, alongside plans for a temporary facility. Despite the pending revamp, residents and commuters have demanded immediate interim measures to restore drainage and clear garbage.
Taj Khan, a local resident, noted that the municipal corporation and ST administration must coordinate to provide temporary drainage and sanitation rather than leaving commuters to suffer while redevelopment is awaited. Commuter Aamir Faiyaz Shaikh added that the situation worsens significantly during every spell of heavy rain as passengers must navigate filthy water.
Bhiwandi ST Depot Manager Keshav Mahajan explained that the old building is being cleared due to its dilapidated condition and a new structure is being planned. He stated that carrying out permanent repairs on the existing drainage system is not feasible at present, given the condition of the current structure.
Apart from waterlogging, the depot faces other operational challenges. Bus drivers and conductors are reportedly reluctant to stay overnight at the depot due to poor sanitation and the lack of basic amenities in the deteriorating building. Commuters have also raised concerns over limited direct connectivity to Borivali, which currently has only a single direct bus operating from the Bhiwandi depot.
