Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Bhiwandi ST Depot Waterlogging Exposes Years-Old Drainage Failure
Heavy rain has turned the Bhiwandi bus depot into a pool of dirty water.
The water is not draining because the drainage system has not worked properly for several years.
Garbage and clogged drains are making the problem worse.
People must walk through the water to catch buses.
Vehicles sometimes splash dirty water onto them.
The depot is important because thousands of people use its buses every day.
Officials plan to replace the old depot building, but that will take time.
Residents want temporary drainage and cleaning measures until the new depot is ready.
Incessant monsoon rain has left the Bhiwandi ST depot submerged in stagnant water, slush and garbage.
Passengers, including schoolchildren, women, senior citizens and daily commuters, are wading through dirty water to reach buses.
Residents say the depot’s drainage connection has been disrupted for five to six years, worsening waterlogging.
The state government has tendered the demolition and redevelopment of the nearly 65-year-old depot and planned a temporary facility.
The depot operates about 80 daily trips to Kalyan, nearly 50 to Thane and one reported service toward Borivali.
- Who
- Passengers, local residents, State Transport staff and civic authorities are involved in the issue.
- What
- The Bhiwandi ST depot is facing severe monsoon waterlogging because its drainage system is dysfunctional.
- When
- The problem has intensified during rainfall over the past month; the report is dated August 24, 2026, and residents say the drainage disruption has lasted five to six years.
- Where
- Bhiwandi ST depot, serving routes toward Kalyan, Thane, Borivali and surrounding areas.
- Why
- Rainwater cannot drain properly, while clogged drains, accumulated garbage and the depot’s dilapidated condition worsen the situation.
Immediate Repairs Needed
Redevelopment Makes Permanent Repairs Impractical
Temporary drainage measures
Immediate Repairs Needed
Residents and commuters say the State Transport administration and civic authorities should immediately clear clogged drains, improve drainage and maintain sanitation until redevelopment is complete.
Redevelopment Makes Permanent Repairs Impractical
Depot Manager Keshav Mahajan says permanent drainage repairs are not feasible while the old, dilapidated structure is being removed and replaced.
Responsibility for commuter conditions
Immediate Repairs Needed
Residents argue that authorities cannot allow passengers to face waterlogging, garbage and mosquito infestation simply because redevelopment is pending.
Redevelopment Makes Permanent Repairs Impractical
The ST administration is proceeding with demolition and redevelopment, while treating the existing depot as unsuitable for permanent structural repairs.
Borivali service availability
Immediate Repairs Needed
Passengers say limited direct connectivity to Borivali forces many travelers to go via Thane, increasing travel time and expenses.
Redevelopment Makes Permanent Repairs Impractical
Mahajan said one bus is currently operated from Bhiwandi toward Borivali and that passengers can also use ST services from Bhiwandi to Thane.
- Depot age
- The existing depot building is nearly 65 years old.
- Drainage disruption
- Residents say the drainage arrangement has been disrupted for five to six years.
- Daily Kalyan services
- Around 80 ST bus trips to Kalyan operate from the depot each day.
- Daily Thane services
- Nearly 50 ST bus trips to Thane operate from the depot each day.
- Depot fleet
- The depot has around 66 buses across different categories.
- Borivali connectivity
- One bus is reportedly operating from Bhiwandi toward Borivali.
- Planned works
- A tender has been floated to demolish and redevelop the depot, with a temporary depot also planned.