Latest news with #MSRTC
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
30 hurt as MSRTC bus crashes into tree in Satara
As many as 30 persons including school students suffered injuries in an accident in Patan tehsil of Satara district on Thursday when a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus crashed into a tree near Janugadewadi village. Officials said the accident took place after the bus driver lost control while attempting to avoid a private travel bus approaching from the opposite direction. According to preliminary police reports, four persons are reported to be in critical condition and have been admitted to a hospital in Karad for treatment. As per Satara police, the mishap occurred around 9 am on the Dhebewadi–Salve route near Janugadewadi. The ST bus, bearing registration number MH 14 BT 1127, operated on the Dhebewadi–Salve–Patan route. It had departed from Salve and was en route to Dhebewadi when the driver lost control at a sharp curve near Janugadewadi, where a private bus suddenly appeared from the opposite direction. To avoid a head-on collision, the ST bus driver swerved, lost control, and the vehicle rammed into a tree. PS Daingade, Assistant Police Inspector and in charge of Dhebewadi police station, said, 'There has been no fatality in the accident and most passengers sustained minor injuries. The seriously injured include those with head injuries and fractures. Some of them were experiencing seizures and have been admitted to a private hospital, where their condition is now improving,' he said. Passengers with minor injuries were treated at the Dhebewadi rural hospital under the supervision of medical superintendent Dr RB Yadav, while those with serious injuries were shifted to a hospital in Karad for treatment. The bus driver, identified as Arif Mulla, 57, a resident of Kole in Karad taluka, and the conductor, RM Kale, 57, a resident of Maldan in Patan taluka, were also injured in the crash. An FIR has been registered at the Dhebewadi police station under relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Senior officials, including divisional transport officer Jyoti Gaikwad and her team, visited the injured at the hospital.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Diesel worth 30K stolen from MSRTC bus at Kunjirwadi
Pune: Diesel worth Rs 30,400 was stolen from a bus of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) at Kunjirwadi on the Pune-Solapur road in the night between Tuesday and Wednesday when its driver and conductor were sleeping inside the vehicle. The bus conductor, Ramesh Potbhare (52) of Swargate, lodged a complaint in this regard with the Loni Kalbhor police. According to the police, the bus was heading from Pimpri to Tuljapur on Tuesday evening. There were many passengers on the bus. The bus reached Kunjirwadi and developed a technical snag. The police said the bus conductor and the driver stopped other MSRTC buses heading towards Tuljapur, and passengers were shifted. Later, the duo slept in the bus, waiting for mechanical support to arrive at the spot. While they were sleeping, thieves stole the diesel from the fuel tank of the bus.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
MSRTC shifts gears with 98-year leasing policy for bus stands
MUMBAI: Looking to steer itself out of the red, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is rolling out a fresh plan to give its bus stands a makeover across the state. The plan is to increase the period for which it leases its bus stands under the public-private-partnership (PPP) model, from 60 years to 98 years, thus creating a stable revenue stream. To sweeten the deal, the department also wants to offer private players redevelopment rights in exchange for a share of this space, instead of charging them a premium for the right to commercially exploit the leased area. The corporation would then lease this space, earning consistent revenue. MSRTC has been the backbone of intra-state road transport, offering affordable rates for the last 70 years. But the concessions it offers have come at a huge cost. The corporation's accumulated losses mounted to ₹10,300 crore during this period. To improve its revenue, MSRTC rolled out the PPP model to lease its bus stands – it has 598 bus stands and 251 bus depots across the state – 20 years ago. The lease period then was 30 years and 45 bus stands were developed. In October last year, the state government increased the lease period to 60 years, to develop another 72 bus stations under the PPP model. Now, the transport department has put this proposal on hold, so that a fresh tender can be prepared, further extending the lease period to 98 years. The fresh proposal was submitted to the state revenue department in early June. 'The first lease period would be for 49 years, which will be extended by another 49 years,' revealed an official with the transport department. Significantly, one of the core terms of the lease has been amended. Going forward, contracts will be awarded on the basis of the 'share in commercial property' developed by private parties. Under the earlier regime, MSRTC used to charge a premium allocating the bus stand for redevelopment. Accordingly, the corporation earned ₹32 crore in direct payment over the last 20 years, and it received upgraded bus stands that cost ₹23 crore to revamp. Explaining the new model, an official with the transport department said, 'We have decided to award contracts on the basis of share in commercial property. So, for instance, if a private developer constructs 1,000sq ft of space after redevelopment, they would offer a minimum 30% of that space to MSRTC. The corporation would, in turn, lease that commercial space, ensuring monthly income during the lease period. Parties that offer the greatest share in commercial space will be awarded contracts for redevelopment under the PPP model.' Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said, 'We are already giving the land on lease to a private developer for 60 years. As per the practice in the real estate market, a 98-year lease will generate more revenue compared to a lease of 60 years. Revenue would be earned over a longer period for MSRTC.'
The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
Maharashtra announces toll exemption for Pandharpur pilgrimage vehicles
The Maharashtra government on Tuesday (June 17, 2025) announced toll tax exemptions for vehicles participating in the annual Wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur, scheduled from June 18 to July 10. The exemption will cover all warkari devotees, traditional palkhi processions, and additional MSRTC buses transporting pilgrims during the period. According to a government resolution issued by the Public Works Department (PWD), the toll waiver will apply to all 10 traditional maanachi palkhis (honorary processions) and their accompanying vehicles across toll plazas operated by the PWD, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), including the Mumbai–Pune Expressway. Vehicles availing of the exemption must display special passes containing registration details and driver information. These passes will be issued through local police stations and Regional Transport Offices (RTOs). The centuries-old Wari tradition involves lakhs of devotees accompanying the palkhis of Sant Tukaram from Dehu and Sant Dnyaneshwar from Alandi to the Vitthal temple in Pandharpur. The pilgrimage culminates on Ashadhi Ekadashi, which falls on July 10 this year. To ensure smooth passage and safety for pilgrims, authorities have deployed additional police forces, highway patrol units, and emergency response services along major routes, including the Mumbai–Bengaluru and Pune–Solapur highways. The Public Works Department has been instructed to complete urgent road repairs and install necessary signage along the pilgrimage corridors. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will operate 5,000 additional buses to accommodate the anticipated 20 lakh pilgrims this year. Last year's pilgrimage witnessed a record turnout, with 18 lakh devotees undertaking the journey to Pandharpur. The State government has allocated ₹42 crore for pilgrim amenities and security arrangements for this year's yatra.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
MSRTC starts giving subsidised travel passes directly to students
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has started giving subsidised travel passes directly to schools and colleges, sidestepping the need for students to visit depots or pass centres and saving their time. The move will benefit lakhs of school and college students across the state. With the academic year starting June 16, the 'ST pass directly to your school' initiative has been implemented across the state. With students receiving their passes directly at schools and colleges, not only will the process of getting passes become easier and more convenient, the students' valuable study time will be saved. Announcing the new system, state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said, 'The MSRTC staff will now go to schools and colleges to distribute the travel passes. They will use the students' lists provided by the schools and colleges. Earlier, students had to go in groups to specific centres and wait in long queues which affected their studies as well.' 'This new plan will ensure that students do not miss their classes just to get their bus passes,' Sarnaik said while launching the 'ST pass directly to your school' campaign. Under this scheme, students travelling to and from their homes and schools/colleges will still get a 66.66% discount on bus fares. They will only need to pay the remaining 33.33% to get a monthly pass. All students from classes 1 to 12 can get free passes under the 'Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar' scheme to help them continue their education without any hassles. State divisional controller Arun Siya said, 'All ST depot managers across the city have been instructed to coordinate with local schools and colleges and send letters to principals and headmasters. These letters include students' lists. Based on these lists, the travel passes will be distributed directly.' 'We have distributed bus passes today as per the guidelines announced by the minister. Every depot manager's team went to schools and distributed passes at the Bhor and Shirur depots. In Pune district, this initiative has started on May 16,' Siya said. Student Aditya Patil said, 'This will help me save money. Earlier, I had to spend around ₹1,500 every month on my monthly bus pass. Now, I can save a little money. Also, I had to go to the depot every month to renew the pass, which took a lot of time. Now that it will be done at school, it's much easier. This is a very good step.'
