Smart E-Buses to Soon Join ST Fleet: Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik

Pune : Smart electric buses equipped with integrated safety systems based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology will soon be added to the fleet of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), announced Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman, Mr. Pratap Sarnaik.

Speaking to the media during the presentation of the Smart E-Bus, Minister Sarnaik stated that the MSRTC has adopted the state government’s policy of promoting electric vehicles. Out of the 5,000 buses to be procured in the future under MSRTC’s ownership, at least 1,000 buses per year will be electric. He emphasized that these e-buses must be equipped with AI-based integrated safety systems, and such requirements have been conveyed to the manufacturing companies. In line with this, a Smart E-Bus built for the Uttar Pradesh State Transport Corporation was demonstrated. Mr. Sarnaik also shared that proposals will be invited from various manufacturers for competitive presentations of these new smart e-buses.

The new electric buses will feature AI-enabled CCTV cameras that monitor the driver’s behavior. If a driver yawns, dozes off, falls asleep, or uses a mobile phone while driving, the system will issue alerts to passengers and sound a danger alarm.

To enhance women’s safety, two CCTV cameras will be installed inside the bus to monitor passenger movements. In case of a sudden fire, the buses will also be equipped with foam-based fire extinguishing systems, Mr. Sarnaik added. Referring to the recent Swargate incident, he stated that in the new smart e-buses, no external intervention will be able to open a locked bus. If such an attempt is made, a danger alarm will be triggered.

Transport Minister Makes Surprise Visit to Highway Eateries

Bhigwan : While on a visit to Pandharpur, Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik made a surprise inspection of official MSRTC food stopovers along the Pune–Solapur highway. He interacted with passengers and MSRTC staff, inquiring whether the food being served was fresh, reasonably priced, and whether the Corporation’s official snack scheme was operational. He also personally inspected the restroom facilities at the stops.

During this visit, women passengers raised complaints about the unhygienic condition of the restrooms. Taking immediate note, Minister Sarnaik directed the respective hotel operator to carry out urgent repairs of the facilities. He also instructed that other observed deficiencies be rectified within a stipulated timeframe, warning that failure to comply may lead to cancellation of the hotel’s stopover authorization. The Minister contacted the divisional controller of the Pune region, under whose jurisdiction these hotel stops fall, and instructed that all issues be resolved within the next month.

Strict Action Against Drivers Halting at Unauthorized Stops

During the same visit, the Minister noticed several MSRTC buses halted at an unauthorized hotel stop near Bhigwan. Upon inspection, he found that food was being served in extremely unhygienic conditions. Expressing strong displeasure, he instructed MSRTC officials to take strict action against those responsible, particularly drivers and conductors halting at unauthorized locations.

New Bus Terminal for Bhigwan Soon

As part of his Pandharpur visit, Minister Sarnaik also inspected the Bhigwan bus station located along the highway. Local residents voiced their grievances, noting that due to the highway construction, the bus stop now sits at a lower elevation, leading to heavy waterlogging during monsoons. They also complained that the current restrooms are inadequate and poorly maintained.

Responding to these concerns, Minister Sarnaik immediately contacted Dinesh Mahajan, General Manager of MSRTC’s Construction Department, and instructed that tenders for the construction of a new and spacious Bhigwan bus terminal be issued at the earliest. This has raised hopes among residents that a new terminal will soon be established.