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More than 5.96 lakh devotees from Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar travelled safely to their hometowns in Konkan this Ganesh Festival with special bus services.
The MSRTC had rolled out over 5,000 additional buses dedicated to the festival rush. (Image: PTI File)
This year’s Ganesh festival turned out to be a landmark season for the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), with more than 5.96 lakh devotees from Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar traveling safely to their hometowns in Konkan. Transport Minister and MSRTC chairman Pratap Sarnayak shared that the special services generated an impressive revenue of Rs 23.77 crore for the corporation.
To ensure a smooth journey for devotees, the MSRTC had rolled out over 5,000 additional buses dedicated to the festival rush. These buses operated 15,388 trips between August 23 and September 8, helping lakhs of people reach their villages without major delays or accidents. Sarnayak praised the efforts of drivers, conductors, mechanical staff, supervisors, and officers who worked tirelessly to make the massive operation a success.
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“This was not just about buses and schedules, but about ensuring that lakhs of families could celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi peacefully with their loved ones,” Sarnayak said, adding that the dedication of over 10,000 staff members made the achievement possible.
The corporation left no stone unturned in planning. Senior officials personally monitored operations at major bus depots and stations, while repair squads were stationed along key stretches of the Konkan highways. To avoid inconvenience in case of breakdowns, 100 spare buses were kept ready at depots in Chiplun, Mahad, and Mangaon. This advance preparation helped MSRTC maintain uninterrupted services even during the busiest travel days.
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most important festivals for people from the Konkan region. Every year, thousands of families travel from cities like Mumbai and Thane back to their ancestral homes to celebrate the festival. The sudden spike in passenger numbers often puts pressure on transport systems. But this year, MSRTC’s well-coordinated efforts set a new benchmark in festival travel management.
What made this year stand out, according to officials, was not only the record number of passengers carried but also the fact that the entire operation was accident-free. The corporation’s success has been viewed as a morale boost for MSRTC, which has faced financial struggles in recent years.
As the festival season comes to a close, the safe return of these passengers is now the next focus. For MSRTC, this Ganesh festival has shown that with planning, teamwork, and dedication, even massive challenges can be turned into achievements worth celebrating.
About the Author
Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa…Read More
Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa… Read More
September 19, 2025, 11:57 IST
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