The ongoing demonstrations demanding reservation for the Maratha community have taken a severe toll on the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), with at least 46 out of its 250 bus depots forced to cease operations. According to an official statement, the MSRTC has incurred staggering losses amounting to Rs 13.25 crore over the past several days.
Protest activities have severely disrupted bus services in several districts, including Ahmednagar, Aurangabad, Parbhani, Hingoli, Jalna, Nanded, and Dharashiv, as reported by a spokesperson for the MSRTC.
The spokesperson revealed that the protests had turned destructive, with 20 buses being set ablaze and 19 others sustaining various degrees of damage during the recent unrest.
The financial implications of these protests have been substantial, with the MSRTC reporting losses of Rs 5.25 crore due to damages inflicted on its fleet of buses. Moreover, the corporation experienced a loss of Rs 8 crore in ticket sales revenue due to the disruption of services in various parts of the state.
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation holds a significant position as one of the country’s largest public transport bodies, boasting a fleet of over 15,000 buses. On a typical day, it caters to the transportation needs of approximately 60 lakh passengers, making it an essential lifeline for commuters across the state.