State bus terminal shift proposed,opposed

The plan to shift the bus terminal,however,met with stiff resistance from the MSRTC,which has rejected suggestions that it is a source of congestion on this road. “The main problem in Pune is regulation of traffic,” said Shivaji Sonawane,divisional controller,MSRTC.

DCP (traffic) Manoj Patil insisted that a call has to be taken for city traffic movement around the city railway station. “Something has to be done about the approach road to the MSRTC stand. The road is too narrow at 4.5 ft. We have only suggested that the MSRTC and the railways study the plan,” said Patil. He said MSRTC too could consider reworking bus schedules.

Sonawane’s main argument is that the station is conveniently located. “It’s all right to say it should be shifted,but when passengers alight at the station and need an MSRTC bus,they will have to take an autorickshaw to get to the relocated bus terminal. Won’t that increase road congestion?”

At the MCCIA meeting,PMC officials had suggested a shift to a plot owned by Central Railway on Raja Bahadur Mill Road. Sonawane said the MSRTC was not against reducing congestion on the roads. “We will do everything possible if there is any congestion because of MSRTC. Shifting of the terminal,however,is a decision that is taken in the head office in Mumbai,” he said. Also,a formal proposal is yet to come from the Pune administration,he said.