08 December,2025 04:58 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondent
Pratap Sarnaik, during his inspection visit, spoke with drivers and conductors. Pic/Special Arrangement
"Do not improve facilities only when a minister is visiting. Provide good service to passengers all 365 days," Transport Minister and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) Corporation Chairman Pratap Sarnaik told the ST administration during his surprise visit to the Ganeshpeth Bus Stand in Maharashtra's Nagpur.
An official statement said that after the first day of the Winter Session was adjourned, Sarnaik inspected several key sections of the bus station, including the toilets, canteen, enquiry counter, waiting rooms, and rest rooms for drivers and conductors.
He also spoke with drivers and conductors to understand their problems. They thanked the minister for improvements like hot-water availability and other upgraded facilities, it said.
Sarnaik also interacted with NCC cadets and passengers waiting for buses, and reviewed their suggestions. He also checked the Hirkani Room, a special rest area for women, particularly new mothers. He instructed officials not to maintain the Hirkani Room only as a formality but to keep it clean and updated round the clock with women staff available at the premises.
The statement said that some of the key findings during Sarnaik's inspections on Monday included -- toilet cleanliness was found to be satisfactory and as compared to other ST bus stands, about 90 per cent of the facilities at the Nagpur stand are in good condition. However, the canteen was found in a highly unclean and foul-smelling state. The minister ordered strict action and asked the Municipal Corporation to cancel the canteen's licence.
Sarnaik noted that the improvements seen at the Ganeshpeth bus stand show that the MSRTC administration has become alert after his unexpected inspections at Solapur and Dharashiv.
He stated that positive changes at bus stands should not be temporary or for show, but must be available to passengers throughout the year.
Sarnaik added that the newly launched Student Helpline has helped solve many complaints quickly, but further work is needed to ensure a system where complaints do not arise at all.
Pratap Sarnaik said that he will continue to take a strict stand to improve cleanliness, facilities and transparency in MSRTC services in the future.
