In a fresh bid to pull the financially struggling Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) back on track, the state government is planning to rope in expert consultants from the construction and automobile sectors. The move aims to redevelop underutilized MSRTC land and modernize its aging fleet to boost revenue and passenger services.
While the proposal is set to be tabled in an upcoming board meeting, it has already sparked mixed reactions. Srirang Barge, General Secretary of the MSRTC Employees Congress, has voiced skepticism over the efficacy of bringing in external advisors, citing past experiences where costly consultancy contracts failed to yield meaningful results.
“In the past, consultants have been paid crores, but their recommendations led nowhere,” Barge said, referring to the scrapped bid process for leasing 1,310 buses, which was led by a consultant firm. “The same firm was involved in other failed projects too. We can’t afford to repeat such mistakes.”
Despite his concerns, Barge acknowledged the need for expert guidance, particularly in the construction and mechanical departments. MSRTC currently owns around 1,360 hectares of vacant land across Maharashtra, which remains largely underdeveloped. Efforts to lease prime plots in locations like Borivali and Bhiwandi have failed repeatedly, even after lease terms were extended from 30 to 60 years to attract developers.
“The phased development of these plots can be a game-changer for our revenue stream,” Barge noted, while also cautioning that hiring consultants for the automobile sector may not yield much, given the presence of over 100 in-house engineers and a fleet already burdened with outdated vehicles.
MSRTC has recently added 1,200 self-owned buses and 220 electric buses to its fleet, yet revenue targets remain elusive.
Barge expressed cautious optimism, hoping that under Sarnaik's proactive approach, the corporation might finally steer toward stability and growth.
“We need fresh ideas, but also accountability. If this is done right, MSRTC can start moving in the right direction,” Barge said.
