The purchase of 2,200 buses by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has been stalled due to the delay in Chief Minister Eknath Shinde signing the related file. The union leader of MSRTC employees, Shrirang Barge, claimed that 10,000 of the 15,600 buses in MSRTC’s fleet are in poor condition, leading to a shortage of vehicles during the summer. He also expressed concern about the increased operating costs due to the use of old buses and questioned the reason for the delay in signing the file for funds, which was sent to the CM’s office before the election code of conduct came into effect. Furthermore, Barge highlighted the slow progress in the tender awarded for hiring e-buses, with only 20 mid-sized vehicles received so far out of the contracted 215 buses per month.