The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation has taken a significant decision regarding its once-premium ‘Shivshahi’ bus fleet. Citing repeated mechanical failures and a steady decline in passenger preference, the state government has decided to convert 453 Shivshahi buses owned by the corporation into semi-luxury and ordinary buses. These vehicles, which were earlier introduced as a comfortable and modern travel option for long-distance commuters, will now operate in a simpler format. The move marks a major shift in policy, as buses that once symbolised upgraded public transport services will soon be seen running across routes in a more basic configuration to ensure better operational efficiency.
At present, the corporation owns a total of 688 Shivshahi buses, of which 453 are currently operational and considered roadworthy. However, the government has clarified that the functional lifespan of these buses does not exceed ten years. Frequent technical breakdowns and persistent complaints related to their air-conditioning systems prompted authorities to reconsider their viability. Officials admitted that passengers had gradually started avoiding Shivshahi services due to recurring disruptions and discomfort caused by malfunctioning systems. The repeated maintenance burden and declining ridership ultimately led to the decision to downgrade and restructure the fleet in order to reduce costs and improve reliability.
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Meanwhile, a political confrontation erupted between the ruling alliance and the opposition over the temporary transfer of ministerial responsibilities during the legislative session. After Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reassigned charge of certain departments to other ministers for the duration of the session, opposition leaders attempted to criticise the government on Tuesday. However, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar clarified that this practice has been in place since 2019. He also cited constitutional provisions to counter the allegations, effectively dismissing the opposition’s claims and defending the government’s procedural decision.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis handed over the General Administration Department to Minister Ashish Shelar for the session period. Similarly, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde temporarily delegated responsibility for his three departments to Ministers Dadaji Bhuse, Uday Samant, and Shambhuraj Desai. The arrangement, described as an administrative measure limited to the ongoing session, was presented by the ruling side as a routine procedural step rather than an extraordinary action, even as it triggered a brief political exchange inside the House.