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Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has flagged delays in subsidy disbursals as a key factor worsening the financial condition of MSRTC. He urged the state finance department to release funds on time, especially for travel concessions given to women and senior citizens. Speaking in Palghar, Sarnaik emphasized that timely funding is critical to covering MSRTC's operational losses. He also announced plans to add 5,000 buses annually and confirmed that Palghar will soon get its own Regional Transport Office. Additionally, each of the district's eight bus depots will receive 10 new buses. The minister stressed the need for stronger district-level planning and inter-departmental coordination.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik recently pointed out that the financial strain on the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has worsened due to delays in receiving subsidies, particularly those aimed at subsidising travel for women, senior citizens, and other groups. He stressed that a timely release of funds from the state finance department is vital for the public transport body to recover from its losses. Advertisement
He made these remarks earlier this week while addressing the media in Palghar, following his first Lok Darbar in the district after being inducted into the cabinet late last year.
Sarnaik explained that if the finance department ensures timely disbursal of funds, MSRTC could offset the operational losses it currently faces. He noted that delayed payments have created serious challenges for the day-to-day functioning of the corporation, which runs a fleet of 14,300 buses connecting urban and remote corners of Maharashtra.
The minister said he has already taken up the issue with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who oversees the finance portfolio, requesting that MSRTC receive the same attention in fund allocation as other state departments.
In January, Sarnaik had announced that MSRTC would be adding 5,000 buses to its fleet annually over the next five years to boost its operational capacity. The transport utility, one of the largest in India, provides travel fare concessions to women and senior citizens, which increases its dependency on state subsidies for cost recovery.
On a broader planning front, Sarnaik mentioned that funds under the District Planning Committee (DPC) are still awaiting final clearance. A meeting is expected to take place shortly among senior political leaders, including BJP's state president and revenue minister Chandrashekar Bawankule, NCP MP Sunil Tatkare, and Shiv Sena minister Uday Samant, to finalise the allocation model based on district-wise proposals from guardian ministers.
Responding to citizen concerns in Palghar, the minister also confirmed that the district would soon get an independent Regional Transport Office (RTO), fulfilling a long-pending demand of local residents. Following an inspection of MSRTC depots across Palghar, which is situated close to Mumbai, Sarnaik announced that each of the district's eight bus depots would receive 10 new buses to improve public transport services in the area.
Enhancing local infrastructure, addressing long-pending demands like the Palghar RTO, and strengthening district-level resource planning may set a precedent for more effective governance in state-run transport systems. Whether these steps lead to long-term financial revival for MSRTC, however, will depend heavily on consistent execution and inter-departmental coordination.
Source: PTI
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