Transportation Chaos in Uran: NMMT Abruptly Halts Bus Services, Angering Over 10,000 Commuters

Navi Mumbai, 24th February 2024: In a setback for over 10,000 residents of Uran town and its surrounding areas, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) has abruptly and randomly suspended bus services, affecting daily commuters. The suspension primarily impacts routes 30 and 31 due to an incident involving an NMMT driver who was allegedly manhandled after a recent accident. Earlier, route number 34 had also faced termination two weeks ago when local villagers protested against an NMMT driver involved in a fatal accident.

The decision to shut down NMMT services to Uran on all three routes has drawn criticism from villagers who argue that it is unfair to penalize the entire region for the actions of one individual. Commuters, including school and college students, are now left stranded, with many expressing frustration over the situation. The villagers believe that while discontinuing service on route number 34 might have been acceptable, stopping services on the other two vital routes is impacting the daily lives of residents.

The incident leading to the suspension occurred on route 34 when an NMMT bus was involved in a fatal accident, resulting in the death of a villager and injuries to another pedestrian on February 9. Local villagers responded by attacking the bus driver, prompting the NMMT staff to express reluctance to continue services on this route. The decision to halt services on routes 30 and 31 was made to ensure the safety and well-being of NMMT staff who have been subjected to attacks.

As a result, residents are now compelled to depend on alternative modes of transportation such as local trains and auto-rickshaws, with concerns raised about the increased cost of commuting. The disruption in NMMT services adds to the transportation challenges faced by the affected residents.