Mumbai: Maharashtra Transport Minister and Chairman of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), Pratap Sarnaik, has directed the MSRTC administration to cancel bus halts at hotels that fail to provide clean and affordable facilities to commuters during long-distance journeys.
The directive follows a surge in complaints from passengers regarding poor hygiene, overpriced food, and uncooperative hotel staff at various designated rest stops used by MSRTC buses across the state.
During these journeys, MSRTC buses typically pause at specific hotels, allowing passengers to refresh, use washrooms, and eat. However, travelers have increasingly voiced concerns about unhygienic washrooms, stale food items sold at inflated prices, and rude behavior from hotel management.
Taking serious note of these issues, Minister Sarnaik has instructed the MSRTC Vice Chairman and Managing Director to conduct a comprehensive survey of all such hotel stops within the next 15 days. A detailed report is to be submitted, identifying facilities that fall short of acceptable standards.
“No compromise should be made on the health and comfort of passengers, regardless of any political pressure,” Sarnaik stated firmly. “Even if MSRTC loses some income from these hotel stops, it is acceptable — but there will be no compromise on passenger facilities.”
He emphasized that the MSRTC should adopt a strict policy, removing substandard halts and approving new, passenger-friendly alternatives wherever necessary.
