For the past few months, buses serving Dhule, Nandurbar and Jalgaon had operated from the Nimani bus stand in Panchavati instead of the Mela and Thakkar bus stands. From September 11, services resumed from the Mela and Thakkar stands after the Dwarka Chowk route was partially reopened, but buses now have to follow a longer designated diversion route.
Buses travelling towards Dhule and Jalgaon cover an additional three to four kilometres. The Dhule service, which previously travelled through Gadkari Chowk, Sarda Circle and Dwarka, now uses Patel Road, Sarda Circle, National Urdu School, Mumbai Naka and Dwarka before continuing towards its destination. The return journey follows the same route, adding 4.1 km to each round trip and resulting in fare increases of Rs. 10 or more per ticket.
Fares on buses travelling to Pune and Ahilyanagar have also risen because those services cover approximately 3.1 km more than previously. The revised charges apply because the routes have been lengthened by the traffic arrangements introduced during the roadworks.
Divisional Controller Bhagwan Jagnor has directed divisional controllers in other districts to brief drivers and conductors about the revised routes. The changes are expected to remain an inconvenience for passengers while road construction associated with preparations for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela continues in the city. Commuters using the affected services will therefore have to account for both the longer journeys and the higher fares when planning their travel.