Mumbai: Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced a comprehensive transformation plan for the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC or 'ST') over the next two years.
Speaking in the Legislative Council, he said that the state currently has around 14,500 buses, most of which are outdated. To modernize the fleet, the government plans to purchase 25,000 new buses over the next five years, with 5,150 electric buses to be inducted soon.
Additionally, the 840 bus depots across the state will be converted into modern “bus ports.” The tendering process for this upgrade is already underway and will be conducted in a transparent and competitive manner, the minister assured.
Sarnaik was responding to a half-hour discussion initiated by Council members Adv. Anil Parab, Shashikant Shinde, Sadabhau Khot, and others regarding the state transport system.
As part of the modernization initiative, special attention will be paid to bus and depot cleanliness and enhancing passenger amenities. Each depot will be equipped with e-toilets, and facilities like hot water and laundry services for drivers and conductors. These developments will be executed under a well-structured and transparent bidding system.
Citing Gujarat's successful bus port model, Sarnaik expressed confidence that a similar model will benefit both urban and rural regions of Maharashtra.
He also revealed that the ST Corporation currently spends around ₹33,000 crore annually on diesel. As part of the new strategy, e-toilets and other sanitation facilities in depots will be developed using Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.
