In a move to boost its income, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will soon begin retail sales of petrol, diesel, CNG, and electric charging services at over 250 locations across the state, an official statement said on Tuesday.
Maharashtra Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik announced that the corporation has started the tender process to set up these multi-fuel retail outlets on a commercial basis.
Sarnaik stated that the initiative is part of a larger plan to make MSRTC financially self-reliant and less dependent on government support.
Speaking at a review meeting held at the MSRTC headquarters, Pratap Sarnaik said that the corporation’s financial condition is currently very weak, and it cannot rely only on passenger ticket revenue.
“It is essential to find new sources of income,” he said.
For more than 70 years, MSRTC has been purchasing diesel from public sector companies like Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum to fuel its buses. At present, the corporation operates 251 fuel stations on its own premises, which are used exclusively for refuelling MSRTC buses, the statement said.
Given this experience, MSRTC now plans to open its own multi-fuel retail outlets to serve both the public and its own fleet. These outlets will sell petrol, diesel, CNG, and also feature electric vehicle (EV) charging points, it said.
Sarnaik said the new outlets will be set up at strategic roadside locations owned by the MSRTC. Each site will cover an area of around 40 by 30 metres, and in addition to fuel sales, there will also be retail shops to generate additional revenue and business opportunities.
To implement the project, MSRTC will invite public-private partnerships (PPP) with Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum, and even reputed international fuel companies.
“These will not only serve as refuelling stations for MSRTC buses but also provide reliable retail fuel services for the general public. The aim is to create ‘Petro-Motel Hubs’ offering both fuel and related commercial facilities,” said Sarnaik.
He added, “Through commercial fuel sales, MSRTC will provide trusted fuel outlets to citizens and also create a new and sustainable source of income for the corporation.”
