A union leader of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) employees on Thursday claimed that the state-run undertaking’s plan to buy 2,200 buses has been stalled due to the delay on the part of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in signing the concerned file.
Addressing a press conference in the Congress’ Tilak Bhavan office in Mumbai, Shrirang Barge of the Maharashtra State Transport Kamgar Sanghatana said that 10,000 of the 15,600 buses in MSRTC’s fleet were in deplorable condition and that the delay in signing the file has caused a shortage of vehicles in the summer.
“Many of the buses in the fleet have run for more than 8.5 lakh kilometers. These are plagued by frequent breakdowns, which inconveniences passengers and staffers. Moreover, MSRTC’s operating cost has increased by 1.5 per cent due to such buses,” he said.
“As the chief minister has not signed the file pertaining to funds, the purchase of 2,200 buses has got stalled. Why hasn’t the file been signed? It was sent to the CMO much before the code of conduct for the elections came into effect,” he claimed.
Barge added that as the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation chairman, the CM owes an explanation for this delay since it takes at least three months for new buses to arrive once a work order is placed.
MSRTC has awarded a tender for hiring 5,150 e-buses from a private company, and as per the contract, it was supposed to supply 215 buses per month, though only 20 mid-sized vehicles have come in so far, he further claimed.
In February, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde dedicated 5,150 air-conditioned electric buses to the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) fleet. Addressing a gathering at the Khopat bus depot in Thane, CM Shinde called for improvements in all ST bus depots in the state to ensure better passenger amenities and announced surprise inspections to monitor progress.
The addition of 5,150 electric buses to the MSRTC fleet marks a significant step towards modernization and environmental sustainability, he said, while reiterating the importance of transitioning from diesel to LNG buses to reduce pollution. CM Eknath Shinde assured prompt resolution of pending issues concerning MSRTC workers and staff and emphasised the importance of competing effectively with private bus operators.
CM Shinde also emphasized the importance of extending e-bus and AC bus services to rural areas of the state.
