Maharashtra’s ST Depots in Shambles: Scrap Buses Mounting Despite Deadline

Maharashtra’s ST Depots in Shambles: Scrap Buses Mounting Despite Deadline

Mrudula Narale,

Maharashtra’s State Transport (ST) depots are struggling with an impending crisis as thousands of junk and seized cars still clog facilities in violation of a state directive to do so by April 15, 2025. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) and Regional Transport Office (RTO) have still not moved, leaving 4,263 worthless cars at 222 of the state’s 250 depots. This inactivity not only affects depot functioning but also presents direct safety hazards, brought to focus by a recent assault case in Pune involving an unguarded, non-functional bus.
The matter took on an urgency after a young woman was attacked within a non-functional Shivshahi bus at the Pune’s Shivajinagar depot, triggering a call for direct security inspections and vehicle pullouts. But checks show that junk buses, several of which lack even basic parts, lie undisturbed in most depots. Solapur takes the lead with 443 scrap vehicles in nine depots, followed by Mumbai at 315, including 219 at Kurla’s Nehru Nagar depot alone. Pune comes next with 293 vehicles, with substantial numbers at depots like Baramati (107) and Saswad (38). These scrap vehicles, which are usually left near passenger areas or areas with weak light conditions, pose hazards with non-functional high-mast lighting and open bus doors.
The issue extends beyond buses, with confiscated vehicles from RTOs and traffic police contributing to the mess. A privately owned non-running bus was left unguarded, as was the case in Pune that resulted in tragedy. Instructions to lock up non-functional buses have been issued but remain lax. The existence of such vehicles not only puts pressure on the depot space but also compromises the safety of passengers and functioning of the depot, with most buses turning into eyesores and hazards.
The state’s transport department has come under flak for its failure to implement the minister’s order. Though some districts like Amravati and Gadchiroli have reportedly lesser numbers of scrap vehicles, the overall extent of the problem necessitates swift measures. The MSRTC’s inability to prioritize disposal, combined with the RTO’s inertia, has made the deadline useless. There are recent reports that there is an auction process for 72 out-of-service Shivshahi and Shivneri buses in Pune, but this is just a drop in the ocean compared to the state-level issue.
As Maharashtra accelerates its drive for modernized transport infrastructure, the ongoing litter of junked vehicles underscores a key implementation gap. The state needs to move quickly to clear the depots, step up security, and restore public faith in its transport system so that safety and efficiency do not suffer at the hands of neglect.