How Maharashtra's legacy state bus service plans to shift gears to profitable run
It is widely seen as Maharashtra's lifeline, connecting metros like Mumbai and Pune, and also far-flung hamlets in tribal districts such as Gadchiroli and Palghar. However, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is staring at a legacy financial crisis, with accumulated losses of Rs 10,322.3 crore.MSRTC services were launched to replace the privately-run service motors that once plied in the state. The first bus ran on June 1, 1948 on the Pune-Ahmednagar (present-day Ahilyanagar) route. It initially had Bedford buses with wooden body and coir seats; the fare was nine paise on the Pune-Ahmednagar route. The present-day MSRTC encompasses the public sector passenger road transport services of the former states of Bombay, Madhya Bharat, and the princely state of Hyderabad.advertisementBeginning with a fleet of just 35 buses, the MSRTC's inventory grew to 10,028 in 1981-82, 14,893 in 1991-92, 17,071 in 2001-02 and 18,275 in 2011-12, before dropping to 17,702 in 2021-22 and 15,764 in 2024-25. At present, the state-run corporation has a staff strength of 86,317, covers 1,858 million km per year and carries 2,133.4 million passengers annually.The MSRTC has 598 bus stations and 3,227 bus stops. The slogans of 'Gaav Tithe ST' (a ST bus in all villages) and 'Rasta Tithe ST' (a ST bus on every road) has led to the spread of this public transport service in the remote interiors of Maharashtra. Apart from carrying passengers and luggage, MSRTC buses also deliver postal mail, medicines, newspapers and tiffins to students from rural areas studying in towns and cities. It also carries agricultural produce.advertisement
However, years of mismanagement and politically-motivated decisions, along with proliferation of private bus services and illegal passenger transport through over-loaded jeeps, have taken their toll. In the past 45 years, the MSRTC has made profits in just eight years, as per a white paper on the corporation released by transport minister Pratap Sarnaik. The accumulated losses have grown steadily, from Rs 4,603.08 crore in 2018-19 to Rs 5,319.22 crore in 2019-20, Rs 7090.62 crore in 2020-21, Rs 8,229.2 crore in 2021-22, Rs 9,314.09 crore in 2022-23 and Rs 10,322.32 crore in 2023-24.The white paper reveals that the average per-km expenditure of MSRTC is Rs 58.5 against, say, Rs 49.91 of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Rs 55.73 for the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC). The average load of passengers in Maharashtra's state transport buses is 83.72 per cent per bus against 93 per cent in KSRTC and 97 per cent in RSRTC.The document has listed reasons for the losses, such as inadequate number of buses, buses nearing the end of their lifespan, loss-making routes, irregular fare hikes and so on.As on March 2025, the MSRTC's outstanding liabilities were Rs 3,297.65 crore, including Rs 1,262.72 crore towards provident fund arrears, Rs 1,114.89 crore gratuity and Rs 821.13 crore in passenger tax arrears. It also has Rs 217.19 crore in outstanding diesel and supplier payments.advertisementThe state government has provided the MSRTC aid and grants from time to time. Sarnaik has said the MSRTC will not take buses on rent or wet lease as this works in favour of contractors instead of the corporation. He, however, added that the government planned to buy 5,000 buses every year for the next five years and that financial aid must be provided to the entity.The MSRTC is also planning to purchase mini buses to reach tribal areas of the state. Sarnaik said they were confident of getting the MSRTC out of the red in the coming years.The MSRTC also plans to take measures such as inducting high-end Volvo buses, allowing oil marketing companies to start petrol pumps on MSRTC land on a revenue-sharing basis, allowing development of the MSRTC's land and creating infrastructure for passengers to increase the corporation's income. To reduce losses, the MSRTC will induct 5,000 LNG (liquefied natural gas)-powered buses, 1,000 CNG (compressed natural gas)-powered buses, and reduce its overheads.Subscribe to India Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
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First Post
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Did US kick out a tourist over JD Vance meme?
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Claims that Mads Mikkelsen was denied entry because of a meme are unequivocally FALSE.' 'TRUTH: Mikkelsen was refused entry into the US for his admitted drug use. Only those who respect our laws and follow our rules will be welcomed into our country.' 'Political reasons' were not to blame either, CBP claimed on X. Mikkelsen has admitted that the US agents came across a second photo of a wooden weed pipe. He told Nordlys that when questioned, he told them that he had tried marijuana once in Germany and once in New Mexico. He said he did not believe that was relevant, as the drug was legal in both places. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Mikkelsen, not to be confused with Danish actor of the same name, said he was also questioned about drug smuggling, terror plots, and right-wing extremism, as per the Independent report. The Norwegian youth claimed that the agents forced him to provide a blood sample. The episode has left a bad taste in his mouth. 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Time of India
2 hours ago
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News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Bengaluru Traffic Inspires Newton's Fourth Law: ‘Auto At Rest Will Remain...'
Last Updated: Stuck in traffic near Brookfield, an X user posted a screenshot of his Google Maps, which estimated 48 minutes to travel just 3.6 kilometres. Bengaluru, often referred to as the IT capital of India, continues to draw professionals from every corner of the country with its countless job opportunities. But for all its growth and tech boom, the city has long been infamous for one thing – its unbearable traffic. Getting from one part of Bengaluru to another can often feel like a never-ending mission. And once again, the city has made headlines for its traffic troubles. Recently, a man named Lalit Gour shared his real-time struggle on X (formerly Twitter), and his post has been getting a lot of attention. Stuck in traffic near Brookfield, Lalit posted a screenshot of his Google Maps, which estimated 48 minutes to travel just 3.6 kilometres. 'Newton's fourth law of motion: A Bangalore auto at rest will remain at rest," he wrote along with the screenshot. Newton's fourth law of motion : A Bangalore auto at rest will remain at rest. — Lalit Gour (@lalitgrateful) June 27, 2025 The post struck a chord with many people who couldn't help but laugh at the shared struggle. One user said, 'No words when it comes to Bengaluru traffic," while another added, 'Walk is the only solution." Someone shared, 'Damn. 48 mins for 3.6km. I just drove to the office, 19 km in 50 mins." A person asked, 'Why??? Don't auto drivers want to earn money or they happy with freebies given by the government?" Even people outside Bengaluru could relate like an individual from Gurugram who said, 'Even here in Gurgaon, 16-lane roads get jammed." 'Crazy bro. When an interviewer asks, 'Where do you see yourself in 5 years?' I just think… still stuck in Bangalore traffic…," he wrote. Crazy an interviewer asks, "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"I just think… still stuck in Bangalore traffic. 😭🤣 — Lalit Gour (@lalitgrateful) June 27, 2025 To tackle Bengaluru's ever-growing traffic problem, the government is working on several big infrastructure projects. Back in March, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar shared details about some of these upcoming developments aimed at improving the city's roads and traffic flow. 'We are planning double-decker flyovers wherever new metro lines are being developed. The BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) and BMRCL (Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited) will share the cost equally. It costs Rs 120 crore to construct one kilometre of a double-decker flyover, and we have allocated Rs 9,000 crore for the project," he said, in a release issued by his office. Apart from flyovers, he said the city will also see 300 km of 50-feet-wide buffer roads built along stormwater drains. These are expected to ease congestion in areas that often get choked with traffic. For this, an additional Rs 3,000 crore has been set aside. First Published:
