Mumbai: The MSRTC will operate 5,500 special buses for the Ashadhi Wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur to facilitate the travel of lakhs of devotees expected to visit the temple town for darshan of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmin. Any group of 40 or more devotees can book a special bus from any village in Maharashtra directly to Pandharpur. Existing passenger concessions will remain applicable, including free travel for citizens above 75 years under the Amrut Senior Citizen Scheme and a 50% fare concession for women under the Mahila Samman Yojana.This year, more than 13,000 employees, including drivers, conductors, mechanics and officers, will be on duty round the clock. Four temporary bus stations—Chandrabhaga, Bhima (Degaon), Vitthal Factory and Pandurang (ITI College)—will be set up with drinking water, toilets, reservation counters, enquiry centres, CCTV surveillance and other passenger amenities. Sarnaik also inspected the temporary Bhima bus station and reviewed facilities for pilgrims.
