Nashik: The Nashik division of the state transport utility, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), that had promised to provide guards at different bus stands during peak hours to ensure passengers get into the buses safely, has now withdrawn the decision citing lack of manpower.The MSRTC withdrew large number of buses from the city and added those to rural parts of the district, causing inconvenience to passengers travelling in the city — especially school and college-going youth."We had provided men during Diwali vacation and even when the schools started after vacation, but it will not be possible for us to continue with this in future," a senior MSRTC official said.With the dwindling numbers of buses, children, women and senior citizens have no option but to get involved in the pandemonium. "There was always shortage of buses at 11.30 am and 5.30 pm for Bhagur, Pawan Nagar, Ambad and Ashok Nagar - the time when schools and colleges close for the day. The MSRTC has further cut down the number of buses by 25% and this is the reason that we all have to fight our way in the bus that comes first," Aakanksha Patil, a student of KTHM College, said.Similar is the case with Keshav Pawar, a resident of Shramik Nagar in Satpur, who is unable to find bus in the evening. "I study in Class IX. Naturally I cannot drive a two-wheeler at this age or afford an autorickshaw. I am dependent on the bus services. It is very risky to jump into the moving bus, but if I don't, I will be left behind," he said.Chinmay Gadhe, Nationalist Congress Youth city unit president, said that fights have become common due to the mess created by the MSRTC. "The drivers also park the buses right in the middle of the road. An MSRTC guard will ensure that buses are parked correctly and students get aboard safely. But there is nothing happening," he said.

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