Maharashtra transport facing worst crisis in its 73-year history; 918 employees suspended

A protester addresses the gathering of MSRTC employees at Azad Maidan, on Wednesday

The MSRTC crisis worsened, with depots across the state continuing to remain affected due to the strike by its employees. The state transporter on Wednesday roped in private bus operators, school buses and taxis to ferry the stranded travellers. It suspended 542 more employees from 63 depots and one workshop across 20 divisions, taking the total tally to 918. Fuelled by politicians, the protest march reached Mumbai and a huge gathering was organised at Azad Maidan.

Buses at MSRTC's Parel depot on Tuesday. Pic/Ashish Raje

Crippled by the Covid-19 lockdown and now facing a cumulative loss of Rs 12,000 crore, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), one of India's biggest bus fleets with 18,000 vehicles and 96,000 employees, is facing the worst crisis in its 73-year history. The MSRTC tried various measures to earn revenue, including converting some of its buses into lorries to get cargo and running special services post-lockdown, but the crisis remained unresolved and the government had to intervene twice in the past two years and supply funds when salaries were delayed.

30 suicides due to the crisis

Private buses were arranged for passengers in Pune on Wednesday

Now cash-strapped, the state transporter used to ferry 67 lakh passengers daily at its peak. But after the lockdown and subsequent losses, it started slashing and delaying the salaries of employees, leading to financial crisis, which prompted suicides - 30 so far. Though MSRTC officials maintained that all suicides may not be due delayed or reduced salaries, employees claimed that the salary mess-up had been the prime trigger. In fact, a few employees who were slapped with suspension notices also got emotional on Wednesday and attempted suicides, but were stopped by their colleagues. The state-run bus service has filed a contempt petition against 343 employees for going on a strike despite the court orders.

Protest enters city

MSRTC staffers hold placards during the protest at Azad Maidan

On Wednesday, protesting employees tried to enter Mumbai in jeeps and tempos, but were stopped by police at various points. While BJP leader Pravin Darekar staged a demonstration at Mankhurd, his colleague Kirit Somaiya was arrested from Azad Maidan on way to Mantralaya. A massive crowd of protesters descended on Azad Maidan. Darekar said that MSRTC workers' agitation was not a BJP protest. "Until the government gives us in writing about the merger of MSRTC employees with the state government, the agitation will not be withdrawn," he added.

Private operators roped in

(From left) BJP leaders Gopichand Padalkar, Kirit Somaiya and Pravin Darekar arrive at Azad Maidan, on Wednesday. The state government has accused the opposition party of instigating the employees

Operations at all 250 MSRTC depots were shut on Wednesday, officials said. This prompted the government to allow private bus and cab operators, and company and school buses to ferry passengers from MSRTC depots for their convenience. RTO officials said at Pune's Swargate depot, private buses were being operated to Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, Karad and Belgaum, and buses to Mumbai were available from Pune station.

Anil Garg, president of School Bus Owners' Association (SBOA), said the school bus fleet had already extended their support. "We have requested all school bus owners to support the government by starting the service for the public. We received directives from RTOs and we will support them as much as we can. We have also appealed to the bus owners to charge as per the MSRTC rate charts," he said.

Police check vehicles amid MSRTC staff's protest, outside Mantralaya, on Wednesday. Pic/Bipin Kokate

Passengers suffer

Passengers, however, complained that most of the private bus operators were charging higher rates. Private buses from Thane's Vandana depot to Karad were charging Rs 300 per seat. Vivek Gosavi, who was travelling to Pune, said the operators were charging between Rs 250 and Rs 400 per seat as per availability. "Also, the buses were full, and many passengers were getting in and out in between the trips, leading to crowding. They are just making money [during the crisis]. But, as people have no option, they are taking the private buses." Another traveller, Ravindra Pawar, had booked a ticket from MSRTC, but he learnt about the strike only after reaching the depot. "Firstly, I don't know if I will get the refund. Secondly, I have to pay additional money to these private operators to proceed with my journey. It's all a mess."

‘MSRTC rates not feasible'

Bus operators, on the condition of anonymity, said it would be practically difficult for them to ferry passengers at MSRTC fares, as their rates are subsidised, but we have told our members not to overcharge anyone. RTO officials who have been entrusted with the responsibility of arranging private vehicles at bus depots said that there was no written order asking them to monitor fares, but they would certainly take action about overcharging, etc., if any passenger complained.

Buses parked at Kurla depot on Wednesday. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday appealed to the MSRTC employees to not hold the state's poor people hostage by continuing their strike, and cooperate with the government in its effort to resolve their issues. In a statement, he also hit out at the Opposition for "instigating" the staff for their own political gains.

Maharashtra Transport Minister and Chairman of the MSRTC Anil Parab said the action committees should appeal to employees to suspend the strike. He assured the protesters that the committee was looking into their demands, and that no political party was going to pay the workers for the losses due to the strike and employees should trust the government.

918
Total no. of workers suspended till now for striking work

12,000 CR
Cumulative losses (in rupees) of MSRTC after lockdown

96,000
Total no. of workers employed by MSRTC

18,000
No. of buses in MSRTC fleet, making it one of India's largest

30
No. of employees who have diedw by suicide so far