3 bus stops vanish into thin air near Khadakwasla

3 bus stops stolen!

3 bus stops vanish into thin air near Khadakwasla

Instead of stealing money, jewellery or important documents, some thieves like to make away with bus stops.
On the Pune-Panshet road, three bus stops opposite the National Water Academy were stolen over the past six months, the latest incident happening a week ago.

About 15 km from the city, the spot sees PMPML buses stop before they continue their journey to and from IAT, Sinhagad, Khadakwasla or Khanapur.

People living in Nanded village, especially students, use the stops to board a bus for the city or Sinhagad.

Sarpanch Pralhad Jadhav and former sarpanch Devidas Lagad said they were shocked by this "unique" kind of theft. They said they would lodge a police complaint soon.

The bus stops were put up about two years ago. Iron fabrication was used for the structure; the seating arrangement also utilised iron plates. Even the poles that announce a spot as a bus stop were not spared at two of the places, leaving bus drivers confused the next day about where they were supposed to halt.

The PMPML had spent Rs 1.5 lakh to put up these bus stops.

Local medical practitioner Dr B N Aher said the first bus stop vanished as if somebody had bulldozed it six months ago, one was stolen a month ago and the third, a week ago.

"I noticed the change immediately every time a bus stop was stolen because I use this road to come and go to my clinic at Nanded Phata every day and night," he said. "I also used the bus stops to take shelter during heavy rain."

The doctor said the thieves were so professional about it that nobody would guess that bus stops once stood at the three spots.

"I really feel strange that there is no trace of any bus stop. Only the cement foundation can give a rough idea of some structure having once stood here," he said. "The thieves even stole the PMPML bus stop flag at two places."

Fruit seller Draupada Chavan said she was surprised people could take away a whole bus stop in one night.

"It is strange. How do you catch thieves who can steal bus stops overnight?" she asked. "This must have been done at night as nobody in the area is outdoors after it gets late."

Police Inspector Satish Patil of the Haweli police station said he was not aware of the theft of bus stops.

"We are not aware of this unusual theft of three bus stops at Khadakwasala. We can't take action on our own unless PMPML files a complaint," said Patil.