Maharashtra state transport utility’s e-bus rollout plan goes off track: Only 738 delivered against 5,150 target

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation's ambitious project to induct 5,150 e-buses on long lease has run into serious delays, with the transport utility receiving only 738 buses so far. This is far short of the target and impacts passengers awaiting better connectivity and improved travel.As per the agreement signed in Feb 2024, around 215 buses were to be added to the fleet every month. However, by May, deliveries were lagged significantly, leaving the plan to strengthen MSRTC’s fleet largely on paper.Shrirang Barge, general secretary of the Maharashtra ST Employees Congress, has demanded scrapping of the contract, citing repeated failures by the supplier.“As per revised target set by govt, the supplier was expected to give a total of 1,288 buses by May 22. Despite relaxation and leniency from govt, the company concerned has failed to deliver the required number of buses,” he said.Workers’ unions have demanded strict action, including financial penalties. A penalty of around Rs 15 crore is likely to be imposed for the delay.“The delay in the supply of e-buses has caused a financial loss of Rs 161.3 crore to the MSRTC so far. The penalty is justified considering that MSRTC is already bleeding daily losses of Rs 1.6 crore,” said a union leader.The delay has affected passengers who rely on MSRTC, which operates a fleet of around 12,600 buses and is widely considered a safe and convenient mode of transport across the state.Repeated attempts to seek responses from MSRTC managing director Madhav Kusekar and general manager Nitin Maind on the delay went unanswered.