Maharashtra Orders Cancellation Of Contract For Over 5,000 Electric Buses Over Delay In Delivery

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Last Updated:May 27, 2025, 13:08 IST

Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik expressed superior interest implicit the contractor’s nonaccomplishment to present adjacent a azygous autobus wrong the revised deadline.

Pratap Sarnaik raised concerns astir the mediocre authorities of hygiene astatine respective autobus stations crossed Maharashtra. (Image: PTI File)

Maharashtra Transport Minister and Chairman of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), Pratap Sarnaik, has directed officials to initiate the cancellation of the declaration awarded for the proviso of 5,150 electrical buses connected lease. Expressing superior interest implicit the contractor’s nonaccomplishment to present adjacent a azygous autobus wrong the revised deadline, the curate questioned the firm’s reliability and capableness to fulfil its obligations.

At a high-level reappraisal gathering held astatine the MSRTC headquarters, Sarnaik pointed retired that the supplier had been fixed an extended deadline to present 1,000 electrical buses by May 22. However, contempt the clip extension, the institution failed to supply a azygous unit. “This casts uncertainty connected their quality to conscionable aboriginal deadlines. The ST Corporation cannot spend specified delays astatine a clip erstwhile it urgently needs buses for uninterrupted nationalist service," Sarnaik stated firmly. The lease declaration forms a cardinal portion of MSRTC’s broader inaugural to upgrade its fleet and beforehand environmentally sustainable nationalist transport. The curate stressed that the nonaccomplishment to present not lone hampers day-to-day operations but besides derails the state’s propulsion towards greenish mobility.

Sarnaik directed MSRTC officials to cancel the existent tender if the supplier does not instantly show credible progress. The corp is present expected to research alternate routes, including issuing caller tenders oregon sourcing from much dependable suppliers, to guarantee minimal disruption to services.

In a related development, Sarnaik announced that the existing Shivshahi buses, presently operating nether MSRTC’s premium work banner, volition beryllium gradually converted into Hirkani buses — a semi-luxury class aimed astatine providing enhanced yet affordable question options. These rebranded buses volition instrumentality to MSRTC’s accepted greenish and achromatic colour scheme, reinforcing the corporation’s individuality and legacy. This determination aligns with MSRTC’s ongoing effort to restructure its fleet to conscionable the demands of middle-income and agrarian passengers, who question some comfortableness and affordability successful intercity travel.

The curate besides raised concerns astir the mediocre authorities of hygiene astatine respective autobus stations crossed Maharashtra. During caller inspections, helium observed glaring lapses successful cleanliness and infrastructure upkeep, peculiarly successful rider waiting areas and restrooms utilized by women. “Cleanliness is not a luxury but a necessity. I’ve received aggregate complaints, and what I saw during inspections is wholly unacceptable. Responsible officials volition look action, and if immoderate effort is made to shield them, that excessively volition beryllium dealt with strictly," warned Sarnaik. He instructed determination MSRTC offices to instrumentality strict monitoring systems and guarantee accordant cleanliness and hygiene standards crossed each autobus stations.

With these steadfast directives, Pratap Sarnaik has acceptable the code for a sweeping overhaul of MSRTC’s operations — from addressing task delays successful electrical autobus procurement to upgrading rider acquisition and ensuring accountability among staff.

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