MSRTC may operate Konkan luxury bus service

MUMBAI: Having failed to rope in private parties to operate its luxury bus service to Konkan from Mumbai and Pune, the Maharashtra government is toying with the idea of handing over the job to Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation ( MSRTC).

The private tour operators have not shown interest in the project citing lack of infrastructure facilities in Konkan region, tourism department officials said. The feedback from the dry run of the bus from Mumbai to Konkan in December last year was not good. "Due to narrow roads, it was difficult to drive the Volvo buses," an official said.

"State Tourism Minister Chhagan Bhujbal is of the view that the bus service be operated by MSRTC on routes decided by the MTDC. The proposal is under consideration of the tourism department," he said.

With an aim to attract foreign tourists, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) had decided to start a luxury bus service to Konkan from Mumbai and Pune. MTDC had purchased five such Volvo buses, which have facilities like chemical toilets, fridge, oven, Wi-Fi, at a cost of Rs 5.48 crore.

Under the new proposal, one bus each will be operated in Nagpur for forest tourism, Aurangabad and the same for Nashik, Konkan, Mumbai local tourism and the fifth bus from Mumbai airport to Shirdi, Pune. "The proposal is yet to be finalised," the official said. The tourist package in Konkan will cover temples, beaches and sea forts.

Every year about 14 lakh foreign tourists arrive in Mumbai and then proceed to different parts of the country. "Our endeavour was to attract these tourists to stay back and enjoy the scenic beauty of Konkan region," the official said.

In the 12th Finance Commission, Rs 225 crore were allocated to tourism department for upgrading infrastructure, resorts and repairing of guest houses. Of this, Rs 5.5 crore were allocated for purchasing Volvo luxury buses.