PMPML keeps talking about modern smart bus shelters,but on ground,many people are still standing near roads because actual waiting space is taken over by hawkers and parked vehicles.
In Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad,there are around 9,000 bus stops . But only about 1,500 have proper shelters . That means most commuters are still exposed to heat,rain,dust and traffic noise daily . Not small thing ah,especially when public transport is supposed to make life easier .
But problem is not just lack of shelters . Around many PMPML bus stops,footpaths are blocked by illegal hawkers and vehicles are parked in way of buses . So passengers are forced to stand on road itself,which is risky for everyone.
And this becomes more scary for senior citizens and schoolchildren . They are not just waiting for bus,they are standing between moving traffic,hawkers,parked vehicles and buses trying to squeeze in somehow .
Prateek More ,a resident of Bibwewadi,said it very directly: "Whenever civic authorities remove the stalls, they reappear within a few days. The problem has become permanent. Passengers,senior citizens,and schoolchildren are the worst affected." And tbh,this one line explains whole frustration of commuters.
Few things standing out clearly here:
- Illegal hawkers dominate footpaths — forcing commuters to stand in the road .
- Increased traffic congestion — unauthorized parking obstructs bus movement .
- Repeated complaints ignored — residents allege lack of effective action by authorities.
Areas like Market Yard and Kondhwa are facing this issue badly . Yashraj Rathore ,a daily commuter from Market Yard,said during peak hours,buses struggle to stop safely because of illegal stalls and parked vehicles . That means bus driver also has problem,passenger also has problem and traffic behind also gets stuck .
And people are now openly wondering how these encroachments keep coming back again and again . Some residents believe local political leaders and civic officials may be giving protection to these setups . Of course,this is allegation from residents,but fact that stalls return within few days makes people suspicious only.
Commuters are now asking PMPML ,Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC),Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC),and traffic police to work together and clear these bus stop areas properly . Kishore Chavan ,Public Relations Officer of PMPML,said PMC has been informed about ongoing issues and asked to take action.
But question is same as always . If everyone already knows problem,if commuters are complaining,if safety risk is visible daily,then why does same encroachment return again and again…
