By Rohit More Due to the mismanagement at Shirala ST Depot, school and college students faced transportation issues along with passenger inconvenience. However, various demands raised during the recent protest have now been accepted, significantly improving the situation. Viraj Naik of Viraj Udyog Group informed about the developments during a press conference in Chikhali. He stated that the addition of new buses will further ease travel for students and passengers once they are operational.
On February 7, a movement was held at Shirala Bus Stand under the leadership of Viraj Naik, Randhir Naik (President of Yashwant Glucose), and B. K. Naikvadi (Taluka President of NCP Sharad Pawar faction), along with several officials, local representatives, students, and passengers. A memorandum of demands was submitted to the depot administration, with consistent follow-ups leading to positive results. A meeting with Depot Manager Dhanwantari Tate provided detailed information, and a written response from the administration confirmed the steps taken.
According to the information shared, the following bus services have commenced:
- Shirala-लादेवाडी-Shirala (via Jambhalevadi and Pawarwadi): 7:00 Morning
- Devwadi route: 9:00 Morning
- Shirala-Kande-Shirala: 5:00 Evening
- Shirala to Islampur (via Bhatwadi, Karmale, Surul, Ozarde, and Naikvadi-Peth): Service started
- Buses on the Shirala-Kokrud route now stop at Biur-Shantinagar.
Additionally, a request for 5 midi buses and 20 large buses has been placed. Once these are sanctioned, services on other routes will further alleviate passenger difficulties.
Naik emphasized that the primary objective of the protest was to ensure that students traveling from rural areas for education do not face hardships and that they have access to sectional passes. Consequently, pass distribution centers have been established in various locations:
- Daily passes at Shirala Station and Kokrud
- Sagaav: Fridays and Saturdays
- Maangale: Wednesdays and Thursdays
- New English School, Shirala: Mondays and Tuesdays
The meeting was attended by Depot Manager Dhanwantari Tate, Assistant Transport Superintendent Jayant Patil, clerks Nikhil Garade and Shashikant Gavit, along with village representatives like Biur Sarpanch Rajendra Patil, Tadawale Sarpanch Priyanka Patil, Sachin Patil, Girjvade Sarpanch Sachin Desai, Kandur’s Satyajit Patil, and Bhatwadi’s former Deputy Sarpanch Sachin Gaikwad.
These efforts mark a significant improvement in local transportation, ensuring students and regular passengers face fewer difficulties in their daily commutes.