MSRTC to Phase Out 72 Ageing Shivneri Buses in Pune and other places

Ziya Khan 3 hours ago

9 1 minute read

The Pune division of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has announced the decision to scrap 72 unserviceable and end-of-life Shivshahi and Shivneri buses. These buses will be auctioned on Friday, March 21, through the Metal Scrap Trade Corporation (MSTC), a central government agency. The MSRTC estimates that this auction could generate approximately ₹2.5 to ₹3 crore.According to central government policies, the MSTC serves as the official platform for such auctions.

Pramod Nehul, MSRTC Pune divisional controller, stated, “The auction process has been initiated for scrapping 72 unserviceable Shivneri and Shivshahi buses at the MSRTC Pune office on March 21.”Nehul further explained that scrapping end-of-life buses is a routine process, noting that last year, MSRTC scrapped 240 buses from 14 depots, generating ₹8.5 crore in revenue.This decision follows directives from transport minister Pratap Sarnaik, who mandated that all end-of-life and unserviceable buses at bus stations statewide be scrapped by April 15.

This move comes in light of a recent incident of sexual assault at the Swargate bus stand. Currently, the 72 buses have been idle at the rear of the MSRTC Pune divisional office, located on Shankarsheth Road, just a short distance from the Swargate bus stand. Their presence has occupied significant space, complicating parking for operational buses and the expansion of charging facilities. The MSRTC aims to resolve these issues by scrapping the buses, thereby increasing charging capacity.

In the meantime, the MSRTC has started adding new vehicles to its fleet, with 30 eco-friendly Shivai buses introduced so far.The auction details, including bus specifications and quantities, are available on the MSTC website. Tenders can be submitted by officially approved agencies or buyers selected by the government. During the auction, bids can be placed on individual bus components, such as seats, engines, and wheels, or for the entire bus as-is. The highest bidder will secure the bus, which must then be scrapped within a specified timeframe.