12 September,2026 03:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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The Maharashtra government on Friday launched a state-wide campaign aimed at preventing alcohol and drug-impaired driving and improving safety for passengers and road users across the public transport sector.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced the initiative, titled "Drug-Free Driver, Safe Journey, Capable Maharashtra", during a high-level meeting attended by senior officials from the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) and the state Transport Department.
The campaign will establish an integrated framework for alcohol and drug testing across passenger and freight transport sectors, with implementation planned between 2026 and 2029.
The campaign will initially focus on MSRTC buses, municipal bus services, government vehicles, public sector fleets and state-contracted vehicles.
Sarnaik, who is also the chairman of the MSRTC, announced a personal donation of Rs 1 lakh towards the purchase of drug-testing equipment to screen MSRTC drivers and conductors.
The government plans to introduce standardised procedures for pre-duty breathalyser tests, scheduled and surprise drug screenings, as well as targeted testing when there is reasonable suspicion or following specific incidents.
Standard operating procedures will also cover the deployment of trained personnel, the use of certified testing kits and digital systems to record and monitor testing.
After the initial phase, the programme is expected to be expanded to private buses, tourist vehicles, taxis, app-based cabs, auto-rickshaws and contract carriage vehicles.
The campaign will also cover employee transport services operating in MIDC industrial zones, factories, companies and logistics firms.
In later stages, the framework will extend to trucks, tankers, hazardous material carriers, warehouses, distribution centres and port transport. School and college transport, hospital vehicles and ambulances will also be brought under specialised testing guidelines.
The government aims to create a common approach to identifying and addressing impaired driving across different categories of transport rather than limiting testing to public bus services.
Sarnaik said the government plans to pilot certified rapid-testing kits that can detect substances including cannabis and other narcotics at the location where testing is carried out.
According to the minister, the proposed kits can be used for screening without opening sealed packages, reducing the risk of direct exposure for personnel conducting the tests.
Any initial positive result will be followed by a mandatory confirmatory test before further legal action is initiated, Sarnaik said.
The testing framework is also expected to include provisions for documenting results and ensuring that procedures are followed consistently across transport operators.
While emphasising a zero-tolerance approach to driving under the influence, Sarnaik said the campaign would also focus on the welfare of drivers who may be dealing with substance dependence.
"Drivers who fail initial screenings will be immediately relieved of driving duties and replaced to protect passenger safety. Counselling, medical evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation options will be provided to drivers struggling with addiction," he added.
The government intends to separate the immediate road-safety response from longer-term measures aimed at helping employees who require medical or rehabilitation support.
Sarnaik also said safeguards would be introduced to protect the confidentiality of drivers' personal and medical information.
The state plans to establish an integrated digital portal to monitor the implementation of the campaign across participating organisations.
The proposed system will track the number of tests conducted, equipment calibration, staff training records, medical referrals and institutional compliance.
The state-level platform will also seek integration with databases maintained by central agencies, according to the minister.
The government plans to make compliance with the testing framework mandatory for vehicle owners, transport contractors, industries and educational institutions covered under the campaign.
The campaign is intended to create a uniform system for detecting alcohol and drug use among drivers and responding to violations while also providing medical and rehabilitation support where required.
Sarnaik said preventing impaired driving was essential to protecting passengers, drivers and other road users.
"Ensuring the safety of every passenger and upholding the trust of every family is our collective responsibility," Minister Sarnaik added.
"A drug-free driver is the foundation of a safe transport system, which ultimately leads to safe families, a safe society, and a stronger Maharashtra," he said.
(With inputs from IANS)
