In a proactive move ahead of the Ashadhi Wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik conducted a surprise inspection of several official Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC or ST) bus stops along the Pune-Solapur highway on Wednesday. The visit aimed to ensure better facilities and hygiene for the lakhs of devotees and passengers expected to travel during the pilgrimage season.
Minister Sarnaik, who had traveled to Pandharpur to review preparations for the upcoming Ashadhi Ekadashi Wari, took everyone by surprise when he began inspecting ST bus stations without any prior intimation. During the visit, he scrutinized facilities at bus stands, inspected food quality at nearby hotels, and reviewed the condition and cleanliness of public toilets.
At several ST stops, the minister directly checked the freshness and hygiene of food being served to passengers. Upon receiving complaints from women passengers about unclean restrooms, he warned hotel owners that failure to maintain cleanliness could lead to license cancellations. He further directed hotel operators to maintain reasonable prices and prevent overcharging of passengers.
Sarnaik also took serious note of ST buses halting at unauthorized stops, where food stalls operated in unhygienic conditions and offered substandard food. At one such location, he personally intervened and instructed officials to take immediate corrective action.
Additionally, while visiting the Bhigwan bus stand, the minister found its condition unsatisfactory. Acting on citizen complaints, he ordered the Construction Department Manager, Dinesh Mahajan, to submit a proposal for the construction of a new and improved bus stand at the earliest.
This surprise inspection is being seen as a strong signal from the Transport Ministry to hotel operators, bus stop staff, and MSRTC officials to prioritize passenger safety, hygiene, and service standards across all official ST stops in the state.
Minister Sarnaik emphasized that passenger comfort and safety will not be compromised, especially during religious pilgrimages when public footfall increases significantly.