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Time of India
19-07-2025
- Time of India
Mountaineering organisation urges CM to start Shivteerth Yatra connecting Unesco inscribed Maratha forts
1 2 Pune: Sahyadri Giribhraman Sanstha, a mountaineering organisation based in Junnar, has proposed the launch of a special 'Shivteerth Yatra', modelled on the lines of Jyotirlinga pilgrimage, connecting the 12 forts recently inscribed as Unesco World Heritage Sites. The organisation has written to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to flag off the yatra from the historic Shivneri Fort, the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj . Of these 12 forts, 11 are in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu. Described as "Maratha Military Landscapes", these are Salher Fort, Shivneri Fort, Lohgad, Khanderi Fort, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala Fort, Vijay Durg, Sindhudurg in Maharashtra and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune "Our organisation has been working for the past 25 years in fort conservation, environmental preservation, and promoting heritage tourism. Through our efforts, we helped establish the Shivai sacred grove and Junnar archaeological museum. An information centre is also coming up in the historic Ambarkhana building on the fort," Joshi said. The organisation has proposed that the Shivteerth Yatra be operated through Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), with specially designed buses connecting all 12 Unesco-recognised forts. It has also requested that Junnar ST bus depot be redeveloped in heritage style. "Junnar is steeped in history. Now that Shivneri Fort has Unesco status, it is only appropriate that the bus stand reflects the region's historic and cultural character," said Rahul Joshi, president of Sahyadri Giribhraman Sanstha. "Shivneri is not just a fort, it is the cradle of Maratha pride," he added. Each fort holds significant historical importance. Shivneri Fort, located in Junnar tehsil, is considered a "sacred fort" among all the forts of Maratha Empire because it is the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The fort was built in the 6th century CE as a strategic military outpost. Built in a triangular shape, it is surrounded by cliffs and overlooks Junnar town. "The most striking aspect of the fort is its seven-tier defence system, designed to block enemy advances. It was a challenging task for attackers to engage in battle due to the uphill terrain and seven enormous gates," said Joshi. "If the state government connects these forts with a dedicated bus service, it would provide a great opportunity for people to visit these historical sites, as many of these are located in rural areas. Therefore, we have urged the government to consider our request positively," said Ganesh Kore, the secretary of the organisation. Thousands of people visit the forts every year. Many come to enjoy the atmosphere and greenery, but only a few are keen to understand their historical significance, said the members of the club. "It is difficult for people to find the time to visit all these forts by making individual arrangements. However, if there is a dedicated public transport, a large number of people, including women, would visit these forts," said Keshav Tengle, a history enthusiast and trekker.
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
MSRTC to shut down loss-making routes, add 150 new buses to city fleet
In a major revamp aimed at improving its financial position, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) Pune division is set to discontinue operations on loss-making routes. This key decision is part of a broader route restructuring strategy to maximise revenue and operational efficiency. By the end of the current year, 150 new buses will be inducted into the Pune division's fleet. (HT) Alongside the closure of unprofitable services, new CNG and electric buses will be deployed on long-distance and high-demand routes, while existing old buses will be gradually phased out. By the end of the current year, 150 new buses will be inducted into the Pune division's fleet. This restructuring comes in the wake of a white paper on MSRTC operations presented by Maharashtra Transport Minister, Pratap Sarnaik. Acting on the findings, the Pune division has begun evaluating its existing routes, focusing on profitability and demand. Arun Siya, MSRTD Pune divisional controller, said, 'Loss-making routes are being identified and will be shut down. We are focusing on long-distance and revenue-generating routes by deploying more efficient CNG and electric buses.' Currently, the Pune division manages 14 depots and 42 bus stations across the city and district, with a fleet of around 850 buses, including 64 electric 'Shivai' buses, 36 Volvo 'Shivshahi' luxury buses, and 200 CNG buses. 'A total of 70 new buses have already been deployed for long-distance services from various depots, and the remaining will be added in phases throughout the year. We are also preparing a revised timetable that prioritises high-demand routes while optimising costs related to driver-conductor wages, maintenance, and peak-season traffic,' said Siya. In the financial year 2024-25, buses from Swargate and Shivajinagar depots alone generated ₹ 55 crore in monthly revenue. The goal is to raise this figure to ₹ 65 crore through this restructuring plan. 'This reorganisation is essential to reduce operational losses and enhance public service delivery. Non-viable routes will no longer be continued,' Siya added.
Hindustan Times
27-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
MSRTC Pune division targets ₹65 crore monthly revenue
Pune: After the state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik released the white paper of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) on Tuesday, many steps to boost revenue and better passenger facilities are being taken up at the Pune divisional level. MSRTC Pune divisional controller Arun Siya has outlined the division's revenue goals and future strategies to strengthen its financial base. ((PIC FOR REPRESENTATION)) Arun Siya, divisional controller, Pune MSRTC, outlined the division's revenue goals and future strategies to strengthen its financial base. 'Our focus is to raise the monthly revenue from the current ₹ 55 crore to ₹ 65 crore, and we collected ₹ 60 crore in May. We are working to increase the frequency of schedules on key routes, especially to underserved and high-demand areas across the state to boost revenue,' said Siya. 'We have already started operational reviews of existing routes and are optimising schedules to match commuter needs. This includes deploying new buses and ensuring minimum idle time.' he said. MSRTC Pune division has 850 buses, including 64 electric Shivai, 36 Shivshahi Volvo luxury and 200 CNG vehicles. Plans are afoot to induct an additional 120 to 140 diesel buses by the end of the year, and 70 have already been delivered. Siya stated that the Pune division plans to tap into festival and holiday rush traffic, introducing dynamic scheduling, and launching commuter-friendly mobile updates. Meanwhile, MSRTC white paper revealed the public transport utility has accumulated losses amounting to ₹ 10,322.32 crore over the past five decades. Additionally, dues related to employee benefits, including provident fund and gratuity, stand at ₹ 3,297.65 crore.
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Passengers slam MSRTC for fare disparity on e-buses with same amenties
Mumbai, The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation has invited the ire of passengers by charging higher fares for electric buses with the same features and facilities by giving them different brand names and colours. Experts and passengers have criticised the state-run corporation for the disparity in fares on the electric Shivneri and Shivai buses. The MSRTC, the country's largest state-run transport undertaking, operates a fleet of nearly 15,000 buses, ranging from non-AC services to premium air-conditioned electric coaches. In January this year, the Maharashtra State Transport Authority approved a 14.95 per cent hike in the MSRTC bus fares. The corporation charges ₹21.25 per 6 km on blue 'E-Shivneri' buses and ₹15.15 for the white-green 'E-Shivai', both built on the Olectra CX2 platform that serves various intercity routes in Maharashtra since inducted in its fleet on a gross cost contract model. According to MSRTC sources, the E-Shivneri fleet primarily operates on the Mumbai-Pune route, and the E-Shivai buses ply on the Thane-Alibag, Beed-Pune, and Nashik-Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar routes. Both are 12-metre-long air-conditioned electric buses with similar features, such as push-back seats, charging points, and reading lamps. The corporation also operates some Greencell-make E-Shivai intercity buses from Pune, Aurangabad, Kolhapur, Nashik and Solapur. In terms of safety and comfort features, these buses are not different from Olectra CX2 ones, sources said. Passengers have, however, slammed the corporation for charging different fares for buses of the same model without any extra services, saying the move lacked logic and transparency. "Changing the colour of a bus's exterior and seat covers does not make it a new brand. There needs to be a clear distinction in terms of facilities, ride quality, or service levels to justify different fares," bus enthusiast Rohit Dhende said. Bus enthusiasts and passengers pointed out that disparity in fares isn't limited to the air-conditioned electric bus services alone, and the case is the same with the MSRTC's ordinary and semi-luxury buses. Aditya Rane, a passenger, said over the past decade, the state-owned corporation has significantly upgraded its ordinary buses. As a result, there is no difference between these and semi-luxury buses, which charge 25 per cent more fares. He said ordinary buses now have features such as charging ports, push-back seats, and 2x2 seating, which were once exclusive to semi-luxury buses. "So why does the MSRTC still charge 25 per cent extra? Is the higher fare just for the colour or the label?" Rane questioned, adding that the corporation should either restore the quality of semi-luxury buses or charge ordinary bus fares. A V Shenoy, a transport expert, said the MSRTC has 13 different types of services, and fare slabs are unnecessarily complicated. Ideally, it should have a simplified fare chart, with four categories based on whether a bus is AC or non-AC and premium or ordinary, he said. "This will simplify ticketing for the corporation and passengers. The slabs should be in multiples of ₹5, which will reduce the problem of keeping and counting small change," Shenoy said. Transport experts and passengers argue that the State Transport Authority should have considered these factors before approving the fare hike for MSRTC buses. When contacted, Bharat Kalaskar, additional transport commissioner, who is also secretary of the STA, said that the transport authority approves fare hikes as per the type of service and does not take the brand into consideration. "Since you pointed this out, I will check and revert," Kalaskar said. Talking to PTI, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, also chairman of the MSRTC, said he would not allow any injustice to passengers if there was so much difference in fares of two classes of buses with the same amenities. "Let me check the technical aspects. If there are more facilities , I may not be able to do anything, but we will not allow passengers to be charged more," he said.
