MSRTC Launches 5,200 Special Buses for Ganesh Chaturthi 2025

As Ganesh Chaturthi approaches, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is gearing up to support the surge in devotees traveling to the Konkan region. The corporation announced it will operate 5,200 special buses from Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar to various destinations in Konkan between August 23 and September 7. This initiative comes as a response to the overwhelming demand for transportation during the festival period, with 5,103 buses already fully booked, according to transport minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik.

Speaking at a press conference, Sarnaik emphasized the emotional connection between Konkanites living in Mumbai and the festival. “Ganeshotsav holds deep emotional significance for Konkanites living in Mumbai. Keeping this in mind, MSRTC has arranged additional buses to facilitate their journey,” he stated. The special services will include 4,479 group reservation buses, catering specifically to larger groups of travelers.

In a bid to support senior citizens, Sarnaik announced that those enrolled in the Amrut Yojana would receive a 100 percent fare concession, while other senior citizens and women passengers can benefit from a 50 percent fare discount under the group reservation scheme. The special buses will leave from major bus depots, providing direct connectivity to even the most remote villages and hamlets in Konkan.

Sarnaik highlighted the importance of MSRTC’s role in ensuring safe travel for devotees. “Ganpati Bappa, the Konkanites of Mumbai, and ST (MSRTC) share an unbreakable bond. Every year, ST ensures a safe and direct journey from Mumbai to the heart of Konkan — even to the remotest `wadi-vasti` — and that makes ST the lifeline of Konkan-bound devotees,” he remarked.

To further enhance passenger experience during the festive rush, several support measures have been put in place. These include a round-the-clock staff presence at bus stations and stops, with oversight from senior MSRTC officers. Additionally, on-road vehicle repair teams will be deployed along key highways leading to Konkan, and temporary restroom facilities will be established at various halting points to ensure passenger comfort.

In a related development, the Indian Railways has announced a record 380 Ganpati Special train trips for the upcoming festival. This marks the highest number of special services ever operated for Ganesh Chaturthi. The trains aim to facilitate smooth travel for devotees from August 27 to September 6, with the Central Railway handling the majority of trips at 302.

The special train services will serve numerous stops along the Konkan Railway route, including Kolad, Chiplun, and Ratnagiri, accommodating the high demand particularly prevalent in Maharashtra and the Konkan region. Notably, six of these trips will operate as Unreserved Special Services between Panvel and Chiplun.

As the festival approaches, both MSRTC and Indian Railways are taking significant steps to ensure that devotees can travel safely and comfortably, reinforcing their commitment to support the cultural heritage and communal spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi.