The Maharashtra government has scrapped a proposed 10 per cent hike in Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus fares, less than a day after the move was announced, following severe flooding in several districts. The rollback was confirmed on Wednesday, October 1, by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, according to a statement from his office.
Fare hike scrapped within 24 hours
MSRTC had declared on Tuesday, September 30, that fares across its bus services-excluding the air-conditioned Shivneri and Shivai fleets would rise by 10 per cent between 15 October and 5 November to offset higher operating costs during the festive season. Passengers travelling after midnight of 14 October were to be charged the revised rates, with the difference collected even from advance bookings.
However, Shinde instructed the Transport Minister to withdraw the decision, citing the burden on residents in flood-affected regions. “Considering the flood situation in the state, the 10 per cent fare hike announced by MSRTC has been cancelled,” his office said.
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Relief for passengers, strain for MSRTC
The reversal comes as a relief for commuters, particularly those displaced or struggling with disrupted services in inundated districts. But the decision may deepen financial pressure on MSRTC, which has been running losses and was banking on the hike to balance fuel and maintenance costs during the Diwali rush.
Under the earlier plan, fares would have reverted to normal from 6 November. Premium Shivneri buses, which operate mainly on the Mumbai–Pune route, and Shivai services on intercity corridors such as Thane and Nashik, had already been exempted.
Govt clears Rs 2,353 crore Nagpur-Chandrapur highway
In a separate development, the state Cabinet Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, approved the construction of a 204-km, four-lane cement-concrete highway between Nagpur and Chandrapur, along with an 11-km connecting road to Chandrapur city.
The project, including land acquisition, carries an estimated cost of Rs 2,353.39 crore, according to the government. Officials said the road will improve industrial connectivity in eastern Maharashtra and reduce travel time between two key districts.
