The government will modernise State Transport bus depots by installing closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras and passenger amenities such as well-equipped toilets.
A new air-conditioned waiting lounge will also be constructed at Dadar for passengers of Shivneri buses plying between Mumbai and Pune, the government announced in the Legislative Council on Thursday.
The government admitted the need for increased security and surveillance at Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) depots, which are in dilapidated condition. State Transport Minister Diwakar Raote said, “We want to give better services to commuters using State transportation. Not only must the security be enhanced, but facilities must also improve.” He was speaking during an hour-long debate over poor infrastructure at State-run transport facilities, after legislator Amar Singh Pandit raised the issue.
The government has initially assigned ₹100 crore for the modernisation programme. Most of the funds have been made available under the corporate social responsibility programmes of leading business houses.
Mr Raote, however, did not touch upon issues related to ticketing and land grab in the MSRTC. An internal vigilance report in 2015 had highlighted land encroachments, fake ticket sales by conductors and theft of fuel as major concerns for the financial health of the MSRTC.
