Maharashtra ST to Launch Fortnightly Bus Station Cleanliness Drive
Maharashtra’s public transport network is embarking on a systematic cleanliness campaign across State Transport (ST) bus stations, with the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) announcing fortnightly hygiene drives at depots and passenger facilities. The initiative, designed to improve sanitation, waste management and commuter experience at regional transport hubs, reflects growing attention on public infrastructure quality and urban-regional mobility environments.
Under the new schedule, MSRTC will deploy targeted cleaning operations at all its bus stations and adjoining administrative spaces once every 15 days. The programme aims to tackle accumulated garbage, unattended vegetation, dusty waiting areas, washrooms and drinking water points, and is part of broader efforts to align transport amenities with expectations of cleanliness, safety and operational efficiency.Officials emphasise that the cleanliness drive extends beyond routine sweeping to include scientific waste segregation, installation of separate bins for compostable and non-compostable refuse, and strict maintenance of hygiene at passenger contact points. Women’s waiting rooms, toilets, seating zones and office blocks will be focal areas in each round of cleaning, signalling a move towards more passenger-centric transport hubs.
The MSRTC initiative dovetails with ongoing plans to upgrade bus stand infrastructure across Maharashtra. Transport authorities have previously underscored the need to modernise facilities and enhance passenger comfort, whether through concrete flooring projects, cleaner washrooms or eventual transformation of select depots into modern “bus-ports” with improved amenities.For daily commuters and long-distance travellers, the cleanliness drive could translate into noticeable improvements in travel experience, particularly at high-footfall terminals where the challenges of sustained hygiene have been more acute. Passenger feedback from major stations — including Pune’s Swargate and Wakdewadi depots — has highlighted ongoing issues with washroom condition and basic amenities, pointing to an urgent need for sustained maintenance.
Urban planners and public transport advocates note that cleanliness campaigns, while essential, must be integrated into broader infrastructure and service quality strategies. “Periodic cleaning is a necessary first step,” says an urban mobility specialist, “but to ensure lasting benefits, it should be supported by continuous maintenance protocols, clear accountability frameworks at depot level, and community engagement to foster shared responsibility and respect for public assets.”Indeed, the announcement envisions collaboration with local civic bodies, social organisations, students and citizens, alongside MSRTC staff, to embed a culture of cleanliness and civic pride at bus stations. Each station’s departmental head has been tasked with overseeing implementation and reporting compliance, signalling a decentralised approach to quality control.
This push also aligns with broader national priorities on sanitation and public space management, where regular and structured cleanliness efforts are seen as integral to improving the usability of transport infrastructure and strengthening public trust in state-run services. In a region where ST buses serve millions of passengers every day, even incremental enhancements to station hygiene and facility upkeep can contribute meaningfully to commuter comfort and the public perception of mass mobility options.
As MSRTC rolls out the biweekly strategy, the focus will now shift to monitoring results, measuring impact on commuter satisfaction and ensuring that improved facility standards are sustained beyond initial campaign rounds.
