The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has started a statewide enforcement campaign against illegal passenger transport services operating near ST bus stations. The special drive began on June 5 and will continue until June 15. The campaign will improve passenger safety and prevent losses to the corporation caused by unauthorised transport operators.
As part of the drive, authorities will strictly enforce a 200-metre no-parking zone around all MSRTC bus stations across Maharashtra. Private vehicles will not be allowed to park within this area to pick up or drop off passengers. The restriction does not apply to vehicles belonging to the corporation.
The campaign was launched following directions from Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik. He had asked authorities to strengthen action against illegal passenger transporters operating near bus stands. After this, the MSRTC Security and Vigilance Department issued instructions for the statewide enforcement effort.
According to an official circular issued by Chief Security and Vigilance Officer Dr. Priyanka Naranware, the drive is being carried out in line with an order of the Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court. The court had directed that private vehicles should not park within 200 metres of bus stations for passenger boarding and alighting activities.
The circular stated that strict monitoring should be maintained to ensure proper implementation of the court's order. It also directed officials to prevent unauthorised passenger transport operations in and around bus station areas.
The enforcement campaign covers all major MSRTC divisions in the state, including Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Amravati and Nagpur. District-level offices across Maharashtra are also participating in the operation.
MSRTC has instructed divisions and depots to create joint enforcement teams. These teams will include divisional traffic officers, depot managers, traffic inspectors, assistant traffic inspectors, traffic controllers and personnel from the Security and Vigilance Department.
The circular also requires department heads to actively participate in the campaign. They have been asked to submit compliance reports after carrying out enforcement actions in their respective areas.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said illegal passenger transport near bus stations would not be tolerated. He stated that MSRTC serves as a lifeline for ordinary people across Maharashtra. He said unauthorized passenger transport affects the corporation's income and also raises concerns about passenger safety. He called for coordination among different authorities to stop such activities and ensure strict enforcement of the law.
The enforcement campaign comes after MSRTC is working to strengthen its financial position. The corporation is also trying to improve infrastructure and improve passenger services across Maharashtra.