MSRTC to install panic buttons in ST buses

For some time now, there has been a question regarding the safety of women in Maharashtra State Transport Corporation (MSRTC) run buses. Due to this, the MSRTC is going to take some concrete steps to ensure that no untoward incident takes place in ST buses.

To increase the safety of women and improve public transport infrastructure, the MSRTC has decided to install panic buttons in its buses. The number of CCTV cameras and security guards will be increased at every bus stand and in new buses. Also, the focus will be on modernising ST buses and providing quality facilities to passengers.

ST bus stations in the state will be built with state-of-the-art service facilities. The development of bus stations will be done on the principle of build, operate and transfer.

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In terms of safety, the state government is all set to modernize bus stations in the state using 'Build-Operate-Transfer' (BOT) and Public-Private Partnership' (PPP) models. The developers will also build necessary infrastructure, including bus stations, depots, and administrative offices, on land owned by the ST Transport Corporation.

The ST Corporation currently has about 1,360 hectares of land at 842 locations, which are divided into urban, semi-urban and rural areas. In the first phase of the project, tenders will be invited for the development of 66 such locations. The selected developers will take responsibility for upgrading land at the district, taluka and village levels, which will ensure efficient use of land and enhance passenger amenities.

To further strengthen the fleet, the MSRTC is going to induct 25,000 new buses in phases. This year, 2,640 new 'Lalpari' buses are being added, adding to the over 800 buses already deployed at 113 depots across the state.