MSRTC launches action against illegal passenger transportation

Nashik: The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has launched a stringent enforcement drive to implement a 200-meter “No Parking Zone” for passenger-carrying vehicles around all state transport bus stands across Nashik division.The special drive, which commenced on June 4, will continue until June 15 with the primary objective of curbing illegal passenger transport and boosting the corporation’s revenue.“We have started the drive to curb illegal ‘stage carriage’ transportation -- which means different passengers travel to different locations in the same vehicle. There are large number of vehicles that pick up passengers from bus stands and depots and transport them illegally and without appropriate safety measures,” a senior MSRTC official from the Nashik division said.“The 200-meter restriction is being strictly implemented in accordance with the high court directives across major and transit hubs. The enforcement covers the New Central Bus Stand (CBS), Mela Bus Stand, New CBS, Mahamarg Bus Stand, Nashik Road, in the city and all the bus depots like Satpur, Trimbakeshwar, Yeola, and others in the rural areas,” said the official.The unauthorized private passenger vehicles negatively impact the state transport revenue. Hence, the MSRTC carries out such drives regularly.“The MSRTC officials are visiting the bus stands and taking action against the buses and even other vehicles -- taxis and private cars -- that are engaged in picking up passengers. So far, the MSRTC has taken action against 17 vehicle owners,” said the official.