The minister made the announcement after interacting with students during his visit to Dharashiv Central Bus Stand, where several of them highlighted issues such as buses not arriving on time, sudden cancellations, overcrowding, and buses skipping designated stops
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik interacts with students in Dharashiv.
Maharashtra Transport Minister and State Road Corporation Chairman Pratap Sarnaik on Friday announced that a dedicated helpline for school and college students will soon be launched to address difficulties faced during their daily commute on state buses.
The minister made the announcement after interacting with students during his visit to Dharashiv Central Bus Stand, where several students highlighted issues such as buses not arriving on time, sudden cancellations, overcrowding, and buses skipping designated stops. Students said these disruptions often lead to academic loss, late arrival at home, and in some cases, punishment from parents. Sarnaik noted that such travel issues cause distress and contribute to student suicides, and urged the local ST administration to treat the matter with utmost seriousness.
According to the minister, the state transport (ST) corporation provides essential transport services to lakhs of school-going children across Maharashtra.
Under the human development fund of the social welfare department, ‘Manav Vikas Buses’ have been allotted especially for girls in remote and tribal regions, with strict instructions that these buses be used primarily for transporting schoolgirls.
“However, in many depots, these rules are not being followed,” Sarnaik noted.
Helpline and direct department-level contacts soon
To ensure safety and timely travel, a new helpline number exclusively for school students will be released soon. Students facing delays, cancellations, or technical breakdowns during their commute will be able to call the number for immediate assistance. Additionally, contact numbers of divisional controllers across all 31 ST divisions will be provided to schools and colleges so that principals, headmasters, or even students themselves can reach out during emergencies.
Depot managers to be held accountable for students’ academic loss
Highlighting administrative responsibility, the minister directed that depot managers and supervisors will be held accountable if students miss classes or examinations due to bus delays, cancellations, or mismanagement. In cases where students suffer academic loss, the responsible supervisors or officers may face suspension or be sent on compulsory leave. These directives have been issued to the ST general manager (traffic).
Mira-Bhayandar to get Mumbai Metro services by December-end: Minister Pratap Sarnaik
After a prolonged wait of nearly 14 years, the long-promised metro connectivity for Mira-Bhayandar residents is finally set to become a reality. Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Wednesday said that the metro service between Dahisar and Kashimira in Mira Road is planned for launch by the end of December, marking a significant milestone for the region.
He was speaking during an inspection of the Dahisar–Kashimira Metro route, accompanied by senior engineers from Maha Metro, technical consultants, and the contractor’s team.
Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety approval awaited
Sarnaik said that the new Dahisar–Kashimira metro route awaits mandatory certification from the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS). Once the approval is received, the state government will plan the inauguration.
“We expect that by the end of December, the route will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar,” the minister said.
Recalling his early promise, Sarnaik said, “In 2009, when I was elected as the representative of this area, I had shown the citizens the dream of a metro. At that time, several established leaders mocked my announcement. But after 14 years of persistent follow-up, that dream is finally taking shape.”
He added that when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena coalition government came to power in 2014, the project picked up pace due to the support of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, who was the then urban development minister.
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