Maharashtra to build modern ‘busports’ across state: Sarnaik

Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Thursday during the ongoing Maharashtra Budget Session 2026 said that the government has decided to build modern lsquobusportsrsquo across the state on the lines of GujaratThe state transport minister said that a new policy has been formulated for the comprehensive development of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation MSRTC depots and bus stations reported IANSPratap Sarnaik was responding to a halfhour discussion initiated by MLC Pravin Darekar on the issueState transport bus stations are to be equipped with enhanced amenitiesSarnaik further stated that under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar modern state transport bus stations equipped with enhanced passenger amenities would be developed across MaharashtraSrnaik also added that the new policy focuses on extended lease terms passenger facilities economic impact and balanced regional development ldquoTo boost commercial development the lease agreement for ST bus station and depot projects has been fixed at 49 49 years 98 years This provision aims to encourage investors and ensure longterm revenue for the MSRTCrdquo said SarnaikldquoThe initiative will provide passengers with clean safe and modern facilities These projects are expected to generate significant employment and business opportunities for local youthrdquo he addedldquoThe project will not focus solely on urban areas To ensure balanced growth tenders will be processed by grouping depots into lsquopackagesrsquo consisting of one urban depot one talukalevel depot and one rural depotrdquo the minister saidSarnaik also emphasised that the lsquopackagingrsquo model would ensure that bus stations in rural areas are developed alongside those in urban centresFinance minister seeks tourism development across the stateMeanwhile Minister of State for Finance Ashish Jaiswal informed the Legislative Council that Maharashtra is endowed with vast natural resources historical heritage and religious sites He said that by leveraging these assets effectively for tourism the state economy could receive a significant boostKeeping the ldquoViksit Maharashtra 2047rdquo Developed Maharashtra 2047 vision in mind 50 tourist destinations across the state will be developed under the Regional Tourism Scheme as per IANSJaiswal said that at least one tourist destination in every district will be developed under the initiativeThe statement was made during a halfhour discussion raised by MLC Ranjitsinh Mohite Patil under Rule 92 regarding tourism development around the Ujani Dam areaThe minister identified four main pillars for development water sports forest tourism heritage sites and religious tourismJaiswal asserted ldquoThe state government is prioritising these projects to increase tourist footfall and generate largescale employment opportunities A PublicPrivate Partnership PPP model will be utilised to accelerate tourism projectsrdquoHe added ldquoTo effectively use water bodies for tourism departments such as Water Resources and Tourism will work in coordination as cited by IANSWith inputs from IANS