NASHIK :
“The state transport, which is now Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), the lifeline of the state, unveiled on June 1. It’s now 72 years old. On June 1, 1948, we ran our first bus on Pune-Ahmednagar route. MSRTC, which has been suffering losses for many years, has been revived by the freight service”, said Transport Minister and chairman of MSRTC Anil Parab on the occasion of MSRTC’s anniversary.
As per the ordinance issued by the state government on May 18, MSRTC can transport goods commercially from its buses, if necessary, the old MSRTC buses will be modified and converted into cargo vehicles. Accordingly, MSRTC started its freight service for essentials, goods and commodities with immediate effect. Within few days the freight service has proved its importance and have helped MSRTC to revive.
Currently, MSRTC has its own 300 freight vehicles available. It has been started by sending boxes of mangoes from Ratnagiri to Borivali. At present, MSRTC has set up separate freight cells at each district level. With the help of these cells information on MSRTC freight is being provided through meetings with manufacturers, small scale entrepreneurs and agri-traders. Many state government corporations, trade boards are ready to send their goods through MSRTC freight.
MSRTC has 250 depots in the state. These depots are functioning in almost every taluka. In addition, 31 divisional offices, 33 divisional workshops, a major expansion in the future to support MSRTC freight is under consideration, informed MSRTC Department.
In the last six days, bookings for 41 trucks have been received across the state. Pune, Nashik, Satara, Sangli, Jalgaon and Gadchiroli districts are leading in the field of freight. Vice chairman and managing director, Shekahar Channe expressed that MSRTC’s freight would be well received in the future due to reasonable rates, safe and regular service.