Unlikely models! MRSTC staffers made to walk the ramp for 'new' uniforms

Inspired by fashion weeks? MSRTC has staff act as showstoppers for jazzed up NIFT-designed uniforms to replace the old ones. Different shades and designs introduced to distinguish nature of their jobs

Eleven staffers of MSRTC dressed in new designs of future uniforms imagined by members of the National Institute of Fashion Technology, wait their turn to walk the ramp at a selection process held at the institute campus

The set of 11 models, who recently walked down the ramp at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) campus in Khargar, weren't famous clothesracks that feature in fashion magazines but spunky employees of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). Sporting enough, they wore and modeled a range of designs that the Institute's students had created as options for new uniforms.

Transport Minister Diwakar Raote, who was present at the event, selected the best picks from the collection to kick off a plan to add some zing to the existing plain blue and khakhi uniforms that the state transport department staffers currently wear. They are now expected to wear brand new shades, and designs.

A source privy to the selection said that introducing different shades of both, blue and khaki would help distinguish the nature of the job of its wearer. While the technical and mechanical staff involved in the maintenance of buses will wear shades of blue, those directly interacting with customers, will wear various shades of khaki. The administrative staff is likely to go about their duty in white and grey uniforms.

At least 75 per cent of the total staff working for MSRTC across the state will wear the new uniforms selected this week. "Of the total 1.07 lakh employees at various levels, around 80,000 of them will wear the new uniforms. We are glad that the staff was taken into confidence during the selection," said Shrirang Barge, general secretary of Maharashtra ST Karamchari Congress.

According to process, the MSRTC authorities will now call for tenders. The designs selected by the authorities will then be fashioned by manufacturers who quote the best price. The staff is expected to have the colour-coded uniforms delivered to them in a month's time.