Pune, 1 Oct : In a bid to enhance the travel experience on the Mumbai-Pune route, Bharatshet Gogawale, the new chairman of the Maharashtra State Transport Corporation (MSRTC), has announced a groundbreaking service for passengers traveling on the e-Shivneri buses. Inspired by in-flight services, the MSRTC will soon introduce hospitality attendants, referred to as ‘Shivneri Sundari,’ to assist passengers without any additional charges on their tickets. This move aims to elevate the quality of service and offer a premium travel experience.
The announcement was made during the 304th board meeting of the MSRTC, chaired by Bharatshet Gogawale, where more than 70 topics were discussed and approved, including the introduction of these attendants on e-Shivneri buses.
‘Anand Health Centers’ at Bus Stations
In another important decision, MSRTC plans to establish ‘Anand Health Centers’ at 343 bus stations in honor of late Anand Dighe, as envisioned by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. These health centers will provide affordable medical services to passengers and nearby residents. The centers will offer a range of health checkups and medicines at minimal costs. MSRTC will allocate 400-500 square feet of space at bus stations for these centers, which will also include pathology labs and pharmacies to ensure accessible healthcare under one roof.
New Depots at Mul and Dharni
As part of expanding the transport network in tribal areas, new MSRTC depots will be constructed in Mul (Chandrapur district) and Dharni (Amravati district). This will increase the total number of depots across the state to 253, improving connectivity in these regions.
Women’s Self-Help Groups to Get Stalls at Bus Stations
To support local communities, MSRTC will provide space for women’s self-help groups at all bus stations across Maharashtra. These groups will be able to set up 10×10 stalls on a rotating basis at nominal rent, allowing them to sell local food products and crafts, thus promoting local businesses.
New Bus Purchases and Electric Bus Conversions
Additionally, MSRTC has approved the process to purchase 2,500 new regular buses and to convert 100 diesel buses into electric buses on a trial basis. This is part of the corporation’s ongoing efforts to modernize its fleet and adopt eco-friendly transportation solutions.
The meeting also saw the participation of Dr. Madhav Kusekar, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of MSRTC, along with Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar and other key officials.
These initiatives mark a significant step forward in improving both passenger services and public transport infrastructure in Maharashtra. The introduction of ‘Shivneri Sundari’ attendants, along with affordable healthcare centers and new depots, underscores the MSRTC’s commitment to enhancing the overall experience for travelers while supporting local communities.
