MUMBAI: In yet another flashpoint between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena – key partners in the ruling Mahayuti – chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has taken control of the land deals of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), which falls under the state transport department headed by Sena minister Pratap Sarnaik.
Fadnavis had stayed MSRTC’s procurement contract for 1,310 buses last year, overturning a decision made under the supervision of Eknath Shinde—deputy chief minister and Shiv Sena chief—during his tenure as chief minister. Following MSRTC’s recent plans to monetise its bus depots at prime locations across the state, an order was issued by the state transport department on Thursday stipulating that separate tenders be issued for the plots, each of which will require the chief minister’s approval before the projects can proceed.
“The final approval for each individual tender will continue to be mandatory at the level of the chief minister. Following the CM’s move, the government has formed a high-level committee led by the transport minister to guide the MSRTC board. Under the committee’s direction, the board is authorized to advance the tender process, execute concession agreements, transfer assets and oversee project implementation and other key matters.
Additionally, in an effort to steer itself out of the red, MSRTC has decided to increase the period for which it leases its bus stands under the PPP model from 60 to 98 years, which has been approved by the state government thus creating a stable revenue stream.
“MSRTC may develop projects under the PPP model on all types of land, including land owned by the corporation, land acquired under the land acquisition act, government land transferred to it, land transferred from the former road transport department, land held under lease agreements and land received through gift deeds,” stated a government resolution (GR) issued on Thursday. When HT asked Sarnaik for his view on the development, he said the decision would make the process transparent. “We are very happy with the decision as it makes the entire procedure crystal clear as there will be a separate tender for each land, which will be approved by the head of the government,” said Sarnaik.
