Bhivandi ST station turns into a pond in the rain, worsening commuters' woes

City News Mumbai/Gani Khan

Bhiwandi: The Bhiwandi ST station has turned into a pond due to rainwater these days. Despite the demolition of the nearly 70‑year‑old dilapidated building and the commencement of construction of a new building, the inconvenience for passengers has increased rather than decreased. The station premises lack adequate drainage, causing water to accumulate in the yard. Moreover, clogged drains and accumulated waste have intensified the mosquito outbreak, forcing school students and daily commuters to reach buses by wading through water.

For the past month, heavy rain has caused flooding in various parts of the station premises. Passengers say there is insufficient shade to protect them from the rain, and they have to wait for buses standing in water. The blocked drainage system has also led to dirt and foul smell in the station premises. Passengers complain that the absence of insecticide spraying has increased the mosquito outbreak.

For people traveling from Bhiwandi to outside the city, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (ST) buses remain the primary public transport. The introduction of the City Bus service by the Municipal Corporations of Kalyan and Thane has brought some relief, but city buses do not reach all areas. Therefore, a large number of passengers still depend on Bhiwandi ST station.

From Bhiwandi depot, about 80 runs are operated daily on the Mumbai–Kalyan route, while about 50 runs operate on the Thane route. The depot has a total of 66 buses, including 5 Rajmata Jijau, 10 Lalpari, and 48 CNG buses.

Passengers accuse that there are also insufficient buses on the Vasai–Borivali route. Currently, only one bus operates on this route, which has affected direct connectivity from Bhiwandi to Borivali. Due to buses passing through Thane, passengers have to bear extra time and expense, and many are forced to rely on private vehicles.

According to locals, the drainage system of Bhiwandi ST station is several decades old. Previously, water from the station premises would flow in different directions into the municipality's drains. But for the past 5–6 years, due to blocked drains, rainwater has been accumulating in the station premises. Citizens demand that the municipality clean the drains and immediately repair the drainage system. Passengers have also appealed to the transport minister to intervene in the matter.

Depot chief Kashiv Mahajan said that the old building of the depot has been declared hazardous and a new building will be constructed. He added that because the new building work is proposed, it is currently not possible to repair the drainage of rainwater. Regarding the Borivali route, he said that buses run from Thane to Borivali, so Bhiwandi passengers can go to Thane and catch the bus to Borivali. Currently, only one bus is operated from Bhiwandi to Borivali.