Latest news with #PratapSarnaik
Hindustan Times
2 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.'
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.'
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Indian Express
MSRTC to deliver bus travel passes to students at educational institutions from June 16
In a big relief for students, the Maharashtra State Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has decided to deliver subsidised travel passes directly to schools and colleges, eliminating the need for queuing up at depots or pass centres, state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said. 'Students will get ST passes directly at their schools,' said Sarnaik, announcing the 'ST Pass Directly to Your School' campaign starting June 16. He said the government currently offers a 66.66 per cent concession on ST bus fares for students travelling between home and educational institutions. Under this scheme, students only have to pay 33.33 per cent of the fare to receive a monthly ST pass. In addition, all students up to class 12 are provided free passes under the 'Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar' scheme, aimed at promoting uninterrupted education, the MSRTC chairman stated. 'Until now, students had to go to ST pass centres or depots, often in groups, and stand in long lines to collect their passes. This would lead to a waste of academic hours. With this new approach, ST employees will visit schools and colleges and distribute the passes directly, based on the student list provided by the institutions,' the minister said, adding that this innovative step will benefit lakhs of students across Maharashtra.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Maharashtra students up to class 12 to get free ST passes at school, 66% fare concession continues for others
THANE: In a big relief for students, the Maharashtra State Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has decided to deliver subsidised travel passes directly to schools and colleges, eliminating the need for queuing up at depots or pass centres, state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Students will get ST passes directly at their schools," said Sarnaik, announcing the "ST Pass Directly to Your School" campaign starting June 16. He said the government currently offers a 66.66 per cent concession on ST bus fares for students travelling between home and educational institutions. Under this scheme, students only have to pay 33.33 per cent of the fare to receive a monthly ST pass. In addition, all students up to class 12 are provided free passes under the "Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar" scheme, aimed at promoting uninterrupted education, the MSRTC chairman stated. "Until now, students had to go to ST pass centres or depots, often in groups, and stand in long lines to collect their passes. This would lead to a waste of academic hours. With this new approach, ST employees will visit schools and colleges and distribute the passes directly, based on the student list provided by the institutions," the minister said, adding that this innovative step will benefit lakhs of students across Maharashtra.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
MSRTC to establish e-charging infra at 196 added ST depots across Maha
In keeping with the recently implemented electric vehicle (EV) policy, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is primed to establish electric charging infrastructure at 196 additional state transport (ST) bus depots across Maharashtra. According to the transport department, e-charging facilities have already been installed at 78 ST bus depots at an expenditure of ₹236.71 crore as of April 2025. The work to operationalise similar facilities at another 118 locations is currently in advanced stages. This initiative is part of the state's broader strategy to address environmental concerns and the impact of climate change by promoting electric mobility. Under the EV policy, special emphasis is being placed on building the necessary infrastructure in both urban and rural areas, as well as along major highways. As per the directives, each bus depot, ST stand, and halt under MSRTC is to be equipped with at least one fast-charging station. As per the information shared by the MSRTC, the latter conducted a survey of 251 ST- depots and 565 stands and identified 196 key locations in regions including Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, and Amravati for the implementation of EV charging facilities. The work at these stations has been entrusted to a private company. Financially, the state government allocated ₹300 crore for the fiscal year 2023–24 and ₹85 crore for 2024–25 totalling ₹385 crore to support this initiative. Out of this, ₹236.71 crore has already been spent to complete the first phase involving 78 bus depots. Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said, 'The charging points are being strategically set up at bus stations that handle high traffic and long-distance routes, where electric buses (e-buses) are already in operation. The state is preparing for a rise in the number of e-buses in the MSRTC's fleet by planning the necessary infrastructure in advance.' 'Initially, the charging infrastructure being developed by the contracted companies was meant exclusively for existing e-buses in MSRTC's fleet including models such as the e-Shivai, Shivshahi and e-Shivneri,' he said. However in a forward-looking decision, Sarnaik has instructed that the infrastructure be upgraded to accommodate e-buses from various manufacturers that may be inducted in future. This move aims to ensure flexibility and long-term utility of the state's growing EV
