Mumbai: MSRTC chairman Pratap Sarnaik on Tuesday directed the state bus corporation to roll out concrete, time-bound measures to reduce losses in 2025-26, stressing tighter transport planning, stronger administrative control and accountability across divisions.According to figures presented at the meeting, MSRTC recorded operational revenue of Rs 11,475 crore in the current financial year, while expenditure stood at Rs 12,066 crore, resulting in a loss of Rs 591 crore. The minister noted that the corporation’s daily average revenue was Rs 31.40 crore against daily expenditure of Rs 33 crore, translating into a daily loss of around Rs 1.6 crore.Of MSRTC’s 31 divisions, only eight are currently in profit, while 23 are running losses. The profit-making divisions in the previous financial year were Jalna, Parbhani, Buldhana, Bhandara, Gadchiroli, Akola, Dhule and Wardha. Sarnaik said the widening losses in major divisions such as Nashik, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Ratnagiri, Satara and Thane were a serious concern and required immediate corrective action.“In the coming financial year, it is essential to make optimal use of available buses and manpower through proper transport planning. Our primary objective must be to recover the remaining daily loss of Rs 1.5 to 2 crore,” Sarnaik said. He instructed officials to conduct an in-depth inquiry into loss-making divisions to identify the reasons behind poor performance and implement division-specific corrective measures. The minister also indicated that the govt would focus on appointing capable and efficient officers in large divisions that have consistently posted losses.Sarnaik expressed displeasure over the appointment of a divisional controller without adequate functional authority in a major division like Nagpur, which has been incurring losses for the past two years. “Officers who lack financial and statutory powers cannot exercise effective control over administration. Therefore, it is necessary to provide alternative postings to such officers and provide capable leadership,” he said.He added that a comprehensive reform framework would be introduced shortly, focusing on administrative discipline, effective utilisation of resources and accountability to strengthen MSRTC’s finances.
