BELAGAVI
In a major relief for passengers, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has resumed ST bus services via Tillari Ghat, reconnecting Goa, Belagavi, and Kolhapur.
The services, which were halted for eight months due to safety concerns, restarted on Wednesday following extensive road repairs and safety upgrades.
MSRTC’s Kolhapur division restarted the Kolhapur to Panaji ST bus service via Tillari Ghat. Soon, services will also resume for Belagavi, Gadhinglaj, Gargoti, Chandgad, Kagal, and Radhanagari, ensuring better transport options for commuters.
Satish Patil, depot manager of Chandgad, confirmed that the Chandgad-Dodamarg and Belagavi-Panaji bus services have also resumed.
The revival of these routes comes at an opportune time, aligning with the holiday and wedding season, bringing much-needed relief to travellers.
Tillari Ghat is the shortest and most convenient route for travellers between Kolhapur, Belagavi, and Goa. However, last year’s heavy rains led to multiple accidents due to damaged protective barriers and sharp curves. Consequently, the route was closed to heavy vehicles, and ST bus services were suspended in June 2024.
After the monsoon, repair work commenced, including the installation of gabion barriers and road reinforcement.
In March 2025, transport officials conducted safety inspections and approved the route for bus services, provided safety measures like reflectors and road markings were implemented. Following local demands, the ST bus service officially resumed, restoring crucial road connectivity.
