NAVI MUMBAI: Private buses are troublemakers, cause traffic congestion & chaos

The LP Stop at Nerul (Navi Mumbai) is the gateway to the Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Satara and Bangalore, however it lacks basic amenities like a shelter for the commuters and toilet facilities. Being one of the main junctions of Navi Mumbai this place is rather chaotic.

Thousands of commuters use the LP stop to go different part of the state and country. This is connected to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and so many heavy vehicles and containers take the route. Interestingly, the DY Patil stadium, medical colleges and other establishment are close to LP Stop too.

Nirmal Nemade, a Pune resident finds LP stop convenient. "I usually come by Shivneri bus, get down at LP stop and take the local train to Thane. This is one of the busy junction. But it does not have the proper mechanism to handle the public and plying vehicles," Nemade said.

He complained that the private bus owners park their vehicles for a longer time on the road. "Unless they get enough numbers of passengers, they do not move. Many such private vehicles shuttle Mumbai-to-Pune and vice-versa daily. This has resulted in frequent traffic congestions. Many time the senior citizens and ladies face huge problem while crossing the road and boarding the bus," Nemade added.

Maharashtra government constructed the long over-bridge to decongest the traffic. However, due to the absence of discipline, this junction is always chaotic. Interestingly, the subway that is connected to both side of the junction has been clogged with drainage water. "It smells but we do not have an option but to stand and wait for for the buses. This is also the pick-up and drop point for several private firms," said Jayprakash Devdhare. He added that in the recent time the population of the Navi Mumbai has also increased many folds. "The Navi Mumbai airport is also coming at Ulwe that is hardly 2-3 km away from LP stop. In future, it will have more traffic. So the authority should start planning to make this commuter friendly junctions," he added