The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has announced a significant increase in bus services between Mumbai and Pune, adding 200 extra daily trips to accommodate passengers affected by widespread train cancellations. The decision comes in response to around 30 train services being suspended due to ongoing restoration work following landslides in the Lonavala-Karjat ghat section.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik stated on Friday that these additional services would commence from Saturday. The enhanced bus operations aim to provide a reliable and uninterrupted travel alternative for commuters who rely on the railway network, which has been severely impacted by damage to tracks. The MSRTC’s initiative is intended to mitigate inconvenience for thousands of passengers, including students and business travellers, who are facing challenges due to the disruption.
The cancellations, which are expected to last until July 17, have affected numerous key services, including the Deccan Queen, Sinhagad Express, Pragati Express, Indrayani Express, and the Pune–CSMT Intercity Express. The landslides, triggered by heavy rainfall on July 6, damaged all three railway lines in the ghat section, with restoration work progressing under challenging conditions. While one line has been partially reopened with speed restrictions, full normalisation of services is yet to be achieved.
In addition to the 200 new ordinary bus trips, the MSRTC will continue its regular schedule of 312 e-Shivneri services between Mumbai and Pune. This combined offering is designed to meet the surge in demand. The corporation has also instructed its depots and divisional offices to be prepared to deploy more buses if passenger numbers increase further, ensuring adequate transportation availability.
Officials from the MSRTC’s Pune division noted that passenger occupancy on buses had been around 50% on weekdays, but bookings saw a considerable increase towards the weekend. The corporation has deployed both electric (e-Shivai) and conventional state transport (ST) buses to manage the rush. The focus remains on ensuring passenger safety, comfort, and timely arrivals throughout the period of railway disruption.
The railway administration is working on a war footing to restore the damaged tracks, with engineering teams facing difficult terrain and continuous rain. The cancellations and disruptions highlight the vulnerability of rail infrastructure in the ghat section to adverse weather conditions and the importance of robust alternative transport options.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
