Pratap Sarnaik’s order followed complaints from many travellers in Maharashtra regarding underwhelming stopover amenities and overpriced meals.
On Wednesday, Pratap Sarnaik, the transport minister of Maharashtra, ordered officials of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to terminate the contracts of motels and hotels lacking hygienic, affordable, and passenger-friendly amenities at highway stopovers.
Sarnaik’s order, who just took over as MSRTC chairman, comes after an increase of passenger complaints about subpar stopover amenities.
Long-distance state transport buses use such stopovers where passengers typically stop to take washroom breaks or refreshments. Many complaints, however, have been received regarding unclean conditions, stale and overcharged food, and even rudeness by hotel staff at some of these places,” said an MSRTC spokesperson.
The representative said that restricted choices have led many travellers to feel forced to eat at particular hotels despite poor service.
In response to this, Sarnaik ordered MSRTC staff to conduct a thorough state-wide survey of all current hotel-motel stopovers. He wanted a thorough study of passenger experience and available amenities and to report in 15 days. He informed the authorities that if the present stopovers are inadequate, alternative superior ones must be located and approved.
He also made clear that although hotel agreements help MSRTC generate some income, these must compromise passenger convenience and health. Sarnaik was quoted as saying, “Passenger comfort is non-negotiable.”
The order is part of a bigger transport department project to improve the general quality of long-distance travel all over Maharashtra. The spokeswoman stated the government intends to ensure that every route’s every stop provides a fair and reliable experience for passengers.
“We have initiated preparations for conducting the survey and we are likely to re-evaluate partnerships in all districts in the next few days,” continued the spokeswoman.
Two months after a bureaucrat’s appointment to the role reportedly sparked turmoil among the ruling Mahayuti alliance, the Maharashtra government named Sarnaik, a minister from Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, MSRTC chairman last week. He followed Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Sethi, whose appointment violated the convention that MSRTC is also under the transport minister’s direction.
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