Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will deploy 1,150 additional buses across the state to ensure seamless travel for thousands of devotees. The temporary fleet expansion is part of the state’s broader initiative to promote safer, more organised, and environmentally conscious public transport during large religious gatherings.
Officials from the transport department confirmed that the special services will operate between October 28 and November 3, covering routes from various districts to Pandharpur. All buses will converge at MSRTC’s dedicated ‘Chandrabhaga’ pilgrimage bus station, equipped with 17 platforms and parking for nearly 1,000 vehicles. The station also houses facilities for on-duty staff and officers to ensure 24-hour supervision and maintenance throughout the pilgrimage period. To handle the surge in passenger volume, over 120 MSRTC employees will be stationed at the hub on the main pilgrimage day. Additionally, technical and maintenance teams will remain deployed along key highways to manage breakdowns swiftly and maintain service reliability. Officials stated that this year’s arrangements aim to reduce congestion, enhance passenger safety, and promote energy-efficient mass transit during the religious event.
In a move to support women travellers, the transport body has introduced ‘Hirkani Rooms’, offering rest spaces for pregnant and lactating women. This initiative underscores the corporation’s focus on gender-sensitive travel infrastructure — a step toward making mass transport inclusive and equitable during high-demand events. The state carrier will also provide direct bus services from villages to Pandharpur for groups of 40 or more pilgrims making collective bookings. Officials have encouraged devotees to opt for group travel, which not only ensures convenience but also reduces the overall carbon footprint by minimising the number of private vehicles on the road.
Continuing its citizen-friendly fare structure, the corporation will offer 50% concessions for women and senior citizens, while passengers aged above 75 can travel free of cost. Such efforts, officials say, are part of MSRTC’s commitment to social equity and sustainability, especially during culturally significant occasions that attract large public gatherings. Last year’s Kartik pilgrimage saw around 3.72 lakh devotees transported through 1,055 additional buses, generating about ₹6 crore in revenue. This year’s increase in fleet size reflects MSRTC’s attempt to further strengthen logistics, enhance safety, and improve commuter comfort through better planning and technology-based coordination.
With lakhs of pilgrims expected to arrive from across Maharashtra, the transport body’s proactive planning marks an important step in managing mass movement efficiently — balancing faith-driven travel with the principles of sustainability and inclusive mobility.
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