The state government had sanctioned a fund of Rs3 crore for the re-development of the Paithan Bus Stand. However, the funds had to be returned to the government as the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) couldn’t prepare the layout of the work to be done in the bus stand. Moreover, the trees in the bus stand area were also cut for the proposed re-development. Now, the re-development work in the bus stand has been delayed and the passengers have to wait in dust for the buses.

A decision was taken around five years back to re-develop the Paithan Bus Stand. MSRTC had planned to provide all the latest facilities in the new bus stand to the passengers. The state government sanctioned the funds for the work. The trees in the bus stand area were cut for the proposed work. However, the MSRTC architect couldn’t prepare a layout plan for the proposed work. Therefore, the actual re-development work could not be started, informed contractor Nitin Deshmukh.

Funds sanctioned five years ago

Five years ago, Rs3 crore was sanctioned for the re-development work, but the work was not done in the specific period. Hence, the funds had to be returned. Now, the work has been delayed and it will be started only when the new proposal for funds is sanctioned. Presently, dust is spreading all over the bus stand area and the passengers have to wait in the dust for the buses. When the buses arrive, they spread more dust in the air causing a severe health hazard for the passengers. Residents Jitu Pardeshi, Bajrang Limbore and others demand that at least, water should be sprinkled within the bus stand to prevent the spreading of the dust.

Depot Head Gajanan Madke said that the funds for the re-development were sanctioned around five years back, but it is difficult to say why the work was not done.

Paithan MLA Vilas Bhumre said that efforts are being taken that funds should be made available for the re-development of the bus stand. The funds will be received soon and a good bus stand will be established here as Paithan is a historic and religious place and several tourists and pilgrims come here regularly, he said.