Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik Proposes PPP Model To Boost Affordable Religious Tourism For Underprivileged

Mumbai: Maharashtra’s Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman, Pratap Sarnaik, has proposed an ambitious plan to promote religious tourism for underprivileged citizens through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

The initiative aims to offer affordable religious tour packages that include transportation, accommodation, and meals, making spiritual journeys accessible to people from all economic backgrounds.

In a recent meeting at the MSRTC headquarters, Sarnaik emphasized the critical role of such partnerships in ensuring that cost does not hinder people’s ability to participate in sacred pilgrimages. The meeting was attended by MSRTC Vice Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Madhav Kusekar, along with senior officials and representatives from private travel agencies.

"Tour operators should focus on organizing trips during the off-season, especially around holidays when MSRTC experiences lower passenger traffic. This strategy will not only boost MSRTC’s revenue but also provide affordable travel opportunities to the general public," Sarnaik said.

Under the plan, tours will include basic facilities such as clean toilets and free lodging at select pilgrimage centers. The model has already proven successful in Pandharpur, and now, key pilgrimage circuits such as Ashtavinayak, Tuljapur-Pandharpur-Akkalkot, the Jyotirlinga circuit, and Trimbakeshwar-Nashik are under consideration.

Sarnaik also stressed the importance of launching these joint tour services ahead of the holy month of Shravan, allowing people to embark on their spiritual journeys in time for one of the most significant religious periods in Maharashtra.

“This initiative is designed to provide a spiritual lifeline to economically disadvantaged communities while also strengthening MSRTC’s financial position through innovative collaboration with the private sector,” Sarnaik concluded.