The state government has decided to develop 271 transport depots on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis. Under this plan, packages will be prepared combining three depots including two rural or taluka-level depots along with high-revenue depots. This approach aims to ensure balanced development of urban and rural areas, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said during the Question Hour in the Legislative Council.
The issue was raised by Member Vikram Kale, while Members Sadabhau Khot and Bhai Jagtap posed supplementary questions.
Minister Sarnaik added that an independent contractor will be appointed to maintain free and clean toilets at bus stands across the state. The scheme is expected to be implemented within two months, and passengers will not be charged any fees. On a pilot basis, the driver-conductor rest houses at Khopat in Thane and Mumbai Central in Mumbai division have been renovated with modern facilities, including air-conditioning, bunk beds, clean drinking water, and hot water facilities.
Earlier, the corporation earned around INR 22 crore annually from advertisements and other sources. However, after the new tender process, Minister Sarnaik clarified that the expected revenue over the next five years is estimated at approximately INR 250 crore.
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