MSRTC launches fuel-saving drive at bus depots to cut diesel costs

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation MSRTC has announced a major fuelsaving campaign aimed at reducing diesel consumption across its bus depots in Maharashtra reported the PTIMaharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said the initiative will include specialised driver training stricter monitoring of fuel usage and improved maintenance practices at all depotsDuring a review meeting at Mantralaya in Mumbai the minister noted that MSRTC consumes approximately 1087 lakh litres of diesel every day making fuel efficiency a top priority for the transport corporationHe added that even small improvements in fuel efficiency could result in significant savings at the state levelDepotwise fuel saving targets introducedUnder the new plan each MSRTC depot will be given specific fuelsaving targetsOfficials estimated that if every depot saves just five litres of diesel per day the corporation could collectively save around 1000 litres daily resulting in savings of nearly Rs 1 lakh per dayDrivers who demonstrate strong fuel efficiency will be recognised and awarded incentive allowancesSimilarly depots that exceed their fuelsaving targets will receive monthly awards and financial incentivesThe government believes this will encourage better driving habits and promote competition among depots to reduce fuel consumptionDriver training and counselling measuresDrivers whose buses show poor kilometreperlitre KPL performance will undergo counselling and retrainingThe training will focus on fuelefficient driving techniques such as maintaining steady speeds proper gear shifting reducing unnecessary engine idling and improved braking methodsThe minister also directed officials to strengthen daily vehicle inspections and improve maintenance schedules across depotsIssues such as incorrect tyre pressure engine misalignment oil leakages and brake defects were identified as major causes of fuel wastageThe officials have been asked to ensure greater accountability at workshop level to reduce technical inefficienciesChhatrapati Sambhajinagar bus operators plan 30 per cent fare hikePrivate bus operators in Maharashtrarsquos Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Tuesday said that they may have to due to the increase in prices by around 30 per cent diesel price riseThe move comes in the backdrop of rising fuel prices across the country Pushkar Luley joint secretary of the Bus Owners and Travel Agents Welfare Association highlighting the problems of transporters said ldquoThe diesel price is hovering around Rs 100 per litre and the difficulties in getting diesel have forced bus owners to ply fewer busesrdquo reported the PTIHe further said ldquoAround 125 buses ply between Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and various other cities in Maharashtra and neighbouring statesrdquoLuley while highlighting that diesel prices have surged by nearly Rs 750 per litre in May amid the West Asia conflict also added We require an average of 300 litres of diesel per day per bus Though our dealers are fixed we now need to check the availability of stock The buses have not stopped plying completely but we sometimes have to accommodate passengers in other buses if there are empty seats said Luley according to the PTITicket prices have not yet increased but looking at the situation we will have to raise the prices by at least 30 per cent he addedPrivate bus operators will hold a meeting in a day or two and announce a price hike he said adding that the government should reduce the taxes on fuel so as to give relief to travellerswith PTI inputs