Mumbai News: Gorai, Culvem Residents Demand Resumption Of Bus Service Between Uttan Naka And Gorai Jetty

Residents of Gorai, Culvem, and other villages across Gorai Creek have demanded the resumption of bus services between Uttan Naka and Gorai Jetty.

The public bus service, operated by the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation, was suspended a year ago, apparently because there was not enough road space near the jetty to maneuver the vehicles.

Rossi D'souza, sarpanch, Gorai Gaothan Parishad, said that they were told by the MBMC's assistant commissioner, transport, that bus service number 8 from Gorai Jetty has been suspended due to the unavailability of sufficient space for buses to take an u-turn at the jetty. Ferries from the jetty take passengers to Borivali. People use the bus and ferry services to reach workplaces, schools, colleges, and markets located in Borivali.

D'souza wrote to the Maharashtra Chief Minister and the MBMC, pointing out that the issue is causing inconvenience to the residents and commuters of Gorai. Carol D'souza, a resident of Culvem, said that in the absence of buses, they are forced to hire autorickshaws.

"Last week when I was traveling to Borivali I had to wait for more than 30 minutes because the autorickshaw driver waited for more passengers to share the ride. My other option is to take a circuitous route through Bhayandar by bus to Borivali," said D'souza.Residents said the problem was not with the road width but the haphazard and unauthorised motorcycle parking on the road leading to the jetty.

"As a result, commuters, including daily travelers and tourists, are facing significant difficulties in accessing public transport," said D'Souza, who asked the authorities to intervene to remove obstructive bike parking and resume the bus services. Swapnil Sawant, assistant commissioner, transport, MBMC, said he will need time to look into the request made by Gorai residents.