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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Bus service rolls into 15 remote Gadchiroli villages after decades of wait
Just days after the country celebrated its 79th Independence Day, residents of Mouza Ambezari and 14 nearby villages in Gadchiroli district witnessed freedom of another kind, the arrival of a state transport bus for the very first time. The milestone was made possible through the persistent efforts of the district police in coordination with the Maharashtra State Transport Corporation (MSRTC). Ambezari, nearly 100 km from the District Police Headquarters and 21 km from Katezari village, has long remained cut off from public transport. Villagers would often walk for hours to reach the tehsil or district centres. On Monday, that changed as the first ST bus entered the village, welcomed with traditional drums, dancing, and schoolchildren waving the national flag. The new service will operate on the Gadchiroli–Chatgaon–Dhanora–Yerkad–Murumgaon–Khedegaon–Ambezari–Mangewada–Jaisingtola–Malewada route, connecting over 15 villages. Officials said the bus will significantly improve access to schools, hospitals, and markets, reducing the hardships of daily travel. 'What we have been doing of late is to focus on villages that were unconnected, where buses were not reaching. People here had been demanding public transport, since most do not own vehicles and had to depend on private options. Many of these areas were Maoist-affected until just last year. Although there was a bus line earlier, it ran on a different road and left out these fifteen villages,' Superintendent of Police Neelotpal (IPS) told The Indian Express. 'People here, in the villages of Gadchiroli, look up to the police not just for security, but also as a link to government services. During our gram bhet visits, villagers share their issues, whether it's about roads, street lights, or borewells. We compile these and send them to the district collector. The demand for an ST bus came up during such visits, and we coordinated with the ST department to make it happen,' Neelotpal added. 'The turning point was the Wandoli operation in 2024, where 12 armed Maoists, including key committee members, were neutralised. That cleared the entire northern part of the district of armed presence. Once Maoism waned, people found the confidence to voice demands they had suppressed out of fear,' he said. SP Neelotpal said, 'The launch of these bus services is symbolic; it shows that Maoism is on the path of eradication. Gadchiroli is steadily moving towards development, connecting the unconnected and bringing people into the mainstream. Villagers are very happy today because they finally have a daily, affordable means of transport. This is about improving the 'ease of living' in Gadchiroli.' Neelotpal explained that the confidence among villagers to demand services grew after Maoist influence was pushed back. For instance, on January 1st, when the state Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited Gadchiroli, the Gatta–Wangeturi service was launched. Roads and bridges had to be built first, something Maoists had earlier blocked. Similarly, the Katezari service also found a mention in Mann ki Baat by the Prime Minister. 'Building on that success, we extended efforts to these 15 villages,' he said. Police Sub-Inspector Ajay Bhosle, in charge of Katezari Police Station, flagged off the bus in the presence of Additional SP (Operations) M Ramesh, Additional SP (Administration) Gokul Raj G, SDPO Dhanora Jagdish Pande, and DySP (Operations) Vishal Nagargojhe and the enthusiastic villagers. Officials noted that these initiatives are part of a larger push to strengthen infrastructure in Maoist-affected tribal areas, especially the villages situated in the interior parts of Gadchiroli. Police informed in recent years, 507 mobile towers have been installed, 420 km of roads, and 60 bridges have been built under police security. Police officials said the bus service goes beyond transportation; it represents growing confidence among villagers and a step towards mainstream development.
Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Indian Express
MSRTC to deliver bus travel passes to students at educational institutions from June 16
In a big relief for students, the Maharashtra State Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has decided to deliver subsidised travel passes directly to schools and colleges, eliminating the need for queuing up at depots or pass centres, state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said. 'Students will get ST passes directly at their schools,' said Sarnaik, announcing the 'ST Pass Directly to Your School' campaign starting June 16. He said the government currently offers a 66.66 per cent concession on ST bus fares for students travelling between home and educational institutions. Under this scheme, students only have to pay 33.33 per cent of the fare to receive a monthly ST pass. In addition, all students up to class 12 are provided free passes under the 'Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar' scheme, aimed at promoting uninterrupted education, the MSRTC chairman stated. 'Until now, students had to go to ST pass centres or depots, often in groups, and stand in long lines to collect their passes. This would lead to a waste of academic hours. With this new approach, ST employees will visit schools and colleges and distribute the passes directly, based on the student list provided by the institutions,' the minister said, adding that this innovative step will benefit lakhs of students across Maharashtra.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Time of India
Maharashtra students up to class 12 to get free ST passes at school, 66% fare concession continues for others
THANE: In a big relief for students, the Maharashtra State Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has decided to deliver subsidised travel passes directly to schools and colleges, eliminating the need for queuing up at depots or pass centres, state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Students will get ST passes directly at their schools," said Sarnaik, announcing the "ST Pass Directly to Your School" campaign starting June 16. He said the government currently offers a 66.66 per cent concession on ST bus fares for students travelling between home and educational institutions. Under this scheme, students only have to pay 33.33 per cent of the fare to receive a monthly ST pass. In addition, all students up to class 12 are provided free passes under the "Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar" scheme, aimed at promoting uninterrupted education, the MSRTC chairman stated. "Until now, students had to go to ST pass centres or depots, often in groups, and stand in long lines to collect their passes. This would lead to a waste of academic hours. With this new approach, ST employees will visit schools and colleges and distribute the passes directly, based on the student list provided by the institutions," the minister said, adding that this innovative step will benefit lakhs of students across Maharashtra.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Maharashtra students to get subsidised bus passes directly at schools, colleges; New scheme begins 16 June: Details inside
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel In a big relief for students, the Maharashtra State Transport Corporation MSRTC ) has decided to deliver subsidised bus passes directly to schools and colleges. This means students will no longer have to stand in long queues at bus depots or pass Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced the new campaign, " ST Pass Directly to Your School ", which will begin on June said the state government gives a 66.66% concession on ST (State Transport) bus fares for students who travel between home and school or college. So, students only need to pay 33.33% of the total fare to get a monthly bus under the "Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar" scheme, all students up to Class 12 receive free passes to support uninterrupted education.'Until now, students had to go to depots in groups and wait for long hours, which wasted academic time. With this new step, MSRTC staff will visit schools and colleges to hand out passes directly, using the student list provided by the institutions,' Sarnaik government hopes this move will help lakhs of students across Maharashtra by making travel easier and more from PTI
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
After 77 years of independence, state-run bus rolls out on 100km of Red Corridor
Nagpur: After a 78-year wait, the first state-run bus service rolled out on a 100km stretch from Katezari to Gadchiroli, which was once the booby-trapped artery of the Red Corridor , where neither govt nor combat boots had ever set foot. The landmark achievement by Gadchiroli police and Maharashtra State Transport Corporation , followed the dismantling of the 'janata sarkar' or guerrilla rule with the decimation of last standing 'dalams' here. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis used his X handle to hail the occasion, stating it would augur well for the student community, who suffered in isolation without transport facility. He also underscored development as a harbinger of police and citizen rapport. The bus service from April 26 is expected to benefit 12 surrounding villages, providing easier access to tehsil and district headquarters and was welcomed with fanfare by local tribals. Govt officials say the service, which is clocking high footfall, will significantly ease daily struggles of residents, particularly students, who will now have better access to educational opportunities. The service is also anticipated to strengthen trust with police and administration and prevent Naxalism from striking again, said experts. SP Gadchiroli Neelotpal stated four area committees — Korchi, Kasansoor, Chatgaon and Tippagarh — and two dalams (combining areas committees) of north Gadchiroli were wiped out in July last year after 12 Maoists were neutralized. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo "Katezhari had been a problem area for years until the guerrillas were eliminated. Now, commando domination over the area and goodwill generated among villages is a giant step in normalcy in the once insurgency-ridden district," said the SP. Sources stated Katezhari was once the pivot of Maoist operations. The former central committee member Milind Teltumbde, who was neutralized in 2021 at Mardintola encounter, held sway here. After his death, the last few guerrilla formations were decimated by commandos. The initiative to start the bus service marks a significant milestone in tribal-dominated and Maoist-hit Gadchiroli district, where residents relied on foot travel even to ferry the sick to hospitals. The bus service was warmly welcomed by residents, who celebrated its arrival with music and festivities, said a local resident. The inauguration ceremony was led by sub-divisional police officer, Jagdish Pande, who also addressed villagers, offering guidance and encouragement. Inspector Ajay Bhosale, in-charge of Katezhari Police Station, flagged off the bus, officially setting it on its route. On January 1, 2025, a bus service from Gatta to Gardewada and further to Wangeturi was introduced. Over the past five years, under police protection, 435km of roads, 18 roads and 59 bridges have been constructed in the district's remote areas, transforming the lives of residents.
